Courtney Van Houzen

The Hope College volleyball team made its first appearance this season as the top-ranked team in the country just like every other match this season.

The Flying Dutch won on Tuesday, defeating Albion College 25-17, 25-13, 25-16 on the road.

Earlier in the day, Hope moved atop the American Volleyball Coaches Association NCAA Division III poll. The Flying Dutch (8-0 overall) received 52 of 63 possible first-place votes.

Against Albion, senior Anna Lynch of Lake Odessa, Michigan (Lakewood HS) led a balanced Hope offense with a match-high nine kills.

Two other players had seven kills apiece for the Flying Dutch, who are now 4-0 in MIAA play: senior Jenna Grasmeyer of Jenison, Michigan (Hudsonville Unity Christian HS), and sophomore Courtney Van Houzen of Traverse City, Michigan (Traverse City West HS).

Junior Lauren Hazekamp of Fruitport, Michigan (Fruitport HS), totaled 27 assists for Hope, which swept an opponent for the seventh time this season.

The Flying Dutch served a season-high 13 aces. Grasmeyer had seven of them, a season-high.

Hope returns to action on Friday, Sept. 19, when they host Trine at 6:30 p.m. on the DeVos Fieldhouse Main Court. Free team posters for youth will be given away.