The Hope College volleyball team continues its pursuit of a NCAA Division III national championship tonight at 5:30 p.m., when it faces Clarkson, N.Y.., in the national quarterfinals at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia.
The second-ranked Flying Dutch own a 31-3 record, while No. 15 Clarkson is 37-3.
You can watch the live video streaming of the match by clicking here.
Follow live stats of the match by clicking here.
GAME NOTES
Tonight is the first postseason meeting between Hope and Clarkson. They last met on Oct. 11, 2013, during the Midwest Tournament hosted by Hope at DeVos Fieldhouse. Hope won in three sets.
This is the third national quarterfinal match for Hope. The Flying Dutch are 1-1 all-time, beating Tufts (Massachusetts) in four sets in 2009 and losing to Wisconsin-Stevens Point in three sets in 2013. The 2009 national semifinal appearance is Hope's best finish in the NCAA Tournament.
Hope is 17-12 all-time in NCAA Division III Tournament matches. The Flying Dutch advanced to the national semifinals in 2009 defeating Lakeland (Wisconsin), Calvin, Ohio Northern and Tufts (Massachusetts) before losing to Washington-St. Louis. The Flying Dutch went 3-1 in postseason play last season before bowing to Wisconsin-Stevens Point in the national quarterfinals on Hope's home court at DeVos Fieldhouse.
Coach Becky Schmidt can make history with a win against Clarkson. It would be her 300th win at Hope, her alma mater. Schmidt owns a 299-73 record at Hope and 332-106 mark overall. She also spent three seasons at Redlands (California).
Hope's 31 wins this season is tied for fifth all-time in school history. The Flying Dutch went 34-4 in 2009, 33-8 in 1998, 32-3 in 2013 and 1987 and 31-8 in 2000.
The Flying Dutch have fared well this season vs. foes who are nationally ranked. Hope is 7-2, with both losses coming against Calvin: Oct. 22 in four sets at Calvin and Nov. 8 in five sets in the MIAA Tournament.
Hope advanced to the quarterfinal with a dramatic regional title. The Flying Dutch won both of its final two matches in five sets after overcoming 0-2 deficits against No. 4 and regional host Wittenberg (Ohio) in the finals and No. 10 Juniata (Pennsylvania) in the semifinals. Hope lost its only other five-set match of the season in the MIAA Tournament finals to Calvin.
This is the Flying Dutch's 12th appearance in the NCAA Division III Championships and seventh in a row. Hope received an at-large berth to the national tournament after finishing runner-up at the MIAA Tournament.
The Flying Dutch shared the regular-season MIAA title with Calvin. Both teams went 15-1 in league play, losing on each other's home court. It was Hope's 13th league championship and second in a row.
Senior outside hitter Jenna Grasmeyer of Jenison, Michigan (Hudsonville Unity Christian HS), is Hope's first multiple American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American. Grasmeyer has received AVCA First Team honors three times during her career. She was recognized in 2013 and 2012 as well.
Jenna Grasmeyer also became the Flying Dutch's third four-time All-MIAA honoree and eighth in the MIAA history this season. Grasmeyer follows Holly Vandenberg (1986-89) and Heather Velting (1996-99) as four-time All-MIAA players from Hope. Grasmeyer is Hope's all-time leader with 1,608 kills.
Jenna Grasmeyer has been voted to the 2014 Capital One Academic All-District® Women's Volleyball Teams, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America. She is now eligible for NCAA Division III Academic All-America consideration. She carries a 3.73 grade point average. She is an exercise science major and a psychology minor.
Jenna Grasmeyer's name is all over the Hope record books. She holds or shares eight
individual match records for 25-points sets:
* Total Kills - 28 (5 sets), Jacie Fiedler (vs. Washington, Mo., 11/20/09; (5 sets), Jenna Grasmeyer, (vs. Elmhurst, 10/13/12)
* Total Kills (3 sets) - 21, Jacie Fiedler (vs. St. Norbert, 10/16/10); Jenna Grasmeyer (vs. Kalamazoo, 10/10/12); Jenna Grasmeyer (vs. Univ. of Chicago, 9/7/13); Jenna Grasmeyer (vs. Olivet, 9/10/14)
* Total Kills (4 sets) - 23, Jenna Grasmeyer (vs. Calvin, 10/28/11)
* Total Kills (5 sets) - 28, Jacie Fiedler (vs. Washington, Mo., 11/20/09); Jenna Grasmeyer (vs. Elmhurst, 10/13/12)
* Total Attempts - 75 (5 sets), Jenna Grasmeyer (vs.Washington, Mo., 9/15/12); Jenna Grasmeyer (vs. Elmhurst, 10/11/13)
* Total Attempts (3 sets) - 49, Jenna Grasmeyer (vs. Alma, 10/8/14)
* Total Attempts (4 sets) - 57, Jenna Grasmeyer (vs. Calvin, 10/28/11)
* Total Attempts (5 sets) - 75, Jenna Grasmeyer (vs. Washington, Mo., 9/15/12); Jenna Grasmeyer (vs. Elmhurst, 10/11/13)
Junior setter Lauren Hazekamp of Fruitport, Michigan (Fruitport HS), is a AVCA Second Team All-American for the second consecutive season. This is her second season as a starter. Hazekamp is ranked 11th in the nation at 10.81 assists per set. Hazekamp is a two-time, All-MIAA First Team honoree.
Senior outside hitter Amy VanderStoep of Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa HS), earned AVCA Honorable Mention recognition during 2014. It is her second such honor in a row.
Lauren Hazekamp and Amy VanderStoep joined Grasmeyer on the 2014 All-MIAA First Team. Senior outside hitter Anna Lynch of Lake Odessa, Michigan (Lakewood) and junior Allie Mitchell of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Forest Hills Eastern HS), both made All-MIAA Second Team.
Allie Mitchell became the third Hope player to be chosen MIAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2014. Mitchell ranked fourth in the MIAA at 4.52 digs per set during league play. Hope's previous defensive players of the year were Jessica Maier (2012) and Kristen Johnson (2009).
Lauren Hazekamp was selected the Sports Imports/American Volleyball Coaches
Association NCAA Division III National Player of the Week on Oct. 7. Hazekamp was the fourth Hope player to receive this national recognition. She joins Courtney Earles (2013), Jenna Grasmeyer (2012) and Jacie Fiedler (2010).
The Flying Dutch won 25 consecutive matches to start the 2014 season. It is the best start in team history. Calvin snapped the streak on Sept. 22 with a 25-22, 25-17, 25-27, 25-25 decision.
Hope has enjoyed a distinct home-court edge since the Flying Dutch began playing in DeVos Fieldhouse in 2006. The Flying Dutch are 105-10 all-time for a .913 win percentage at DeVos, including a 12-1 record this season.
The Flying Dutch led NCAA Division III in home attendance during the 2013 season. Hope averaged 867 fans over 14 matches at DeVos Fieldhouse — totaling 12,132 fans. Second-place Wartburg, Iowa, averaged a home crowd of 855 over 10 matches. Hope posted a 13-1 home record that season. Hope also led the nation in home attendance for men's and women's basketball last season.
Hope's DeVos Fieldhouse was the site of the 2013 and 2012 NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championships. The Flying Dutch advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2013 championship to gain the opportunity to play on their home court. Calvin (2013) and St. Thomas, Minnesota (2012) were crowed champions at Hope.
Schmidt had an outstanding Hope playing career and is now coaching the Flying Dutch. Voted the MIAA's most valuable player as a junior and senior, she became Hope's first Division III All-American in 1998. In 11 seasons,she has guided the Flying Dutch to six MIAA championships and eight appearances in the NCAA tournament.
