Hope College Women's Softball

Michelle Brander Metiva was named Hope College's head softball coach on July 17, 2023. The 2003 Mid-American Conference Softball Player of the Year at Central Michigan University and 1999 Miss Softball from Jenison High School also will serve as the Dow Center director on campus. In two seasons, Brander has guided the Flying Dutch to a 48-33 overall record (.592) and a 20-12 mark in MIAA play (.625). Hope qualified for the MIAA Tournament in both seasons. Brander came to Hope with extensive softball credentials as a student-athlete and a professional coach and trainer. From 2020 to 2023, Brander served as the varsity softball coach at her alma mater. Last spring, Brander guided Jenison to a 35-4 overall record and a final ranking of seventh in the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association Division 1 poll. Brander was the general manager at Elite Baseball and Softball Training in Grand Rapids. Also, a softball trainer and coach, Brander was involved with Elite since 2004. As a player, Brander competed for the Dutch National Team from 2003 to 2004 and helped the Netherlands compete in an Olympic qualifying tournament and take second place at the European Championship Tournament. At a college student-athletes, Brander earned All-MAC honors three times at Central Michigan University, making the first team in 2003 when the utility player was league MVP and making the second team in 2002 and 2001. Brander played for Holland native and Hall of Fame coach Margo Jonker. Brander still ranks sixth all-time at CMU with a .394 single-season batting average in 2003. Brander graduated from Central Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in sport management. Brander and her husband, Jeremy, have two sons: Reed and Grant. Overall MIAA Season W L Win PCT. W L Win PCT. 2025 22 17 .564 9 7 .562 2024 26 16 .619 11 5 .688 Total 48 33 .593 20 12 .625

Dani Szep has served as an assistant softball coach at Hope College since the 2024 season. She came to Hope with over 12 years of experience as a professional coach and trainer at Elite Baseball and Softball Training in Grand Rapids and Jenison High School. Her training focuses on catchers, hitters, and the infield.   From 2020 to 2023, Szep served as assistant varsity softball coach at her alma mater. Last spring, alongside Head Coach Brander, she guided Jenison to a 35-4 overall record and a final ranking of seventh in the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association Division 1 poll. Szep graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelors of Science in Biology and holds a Masters in Health Administration from Grand Valley State University. She played softball for the Chippewas as a catcher and utility (2013-17). Szep and her husband, Jim, have two children: Micah and Samantha.  

Evie Uithoven joined the Hope College softball staff in August 2025, bringing with her a wealth of playing and coaching experience. A former standout outfielder, Uithoven was named Miss Softball in 2012 and etched her name into the MHSAA record book eight times. Her achievements include records in single-season stolen bases (92), career triples (37), and consecutive stolen bases (92). At Central Michigan University (2012–2017), Uithoven was a key contributor to the Chippewas’ success, helping lead the program to the 2013 MAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Regional appearance, as well as the 2017 MAC Regular Season Championship. Following her collegiate career, Uithoven transitioned into coaching. She spent three years with Elite Baseball and Softball in Grand Rapids before returning to her alma mater, Spring Lake High School, where she served as varsity head coach for three seasons. In recognition of her impact as both a player, she was inducted into the Spring Lake High School Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023. Uithoven specializes in coaching outfield, base running, slapping, and hitting. Uithoven earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health & Safety and Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University. She and her husband, Jacob, live in Spring Lake with their two children, Roman and Eden.  

Mercede Daugherty has served as assistant softball coach at Hope College since the 2023 season. She also taught health dynamics. Daugherty came to Hope after spending a season as academic coach at Trine University (2021-22).  A native of Watervliet, Michigan, Daugherty played five seasons at Trine and helped Trine to second and third-place finishes at the NCAA Division III National Championships. She set records at Trine for the most doubles in a single game and is the all-time career leader in doubles.  Daugherty holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Trine and a master's degree in business administration and a master’s degree in business analytics.