The Hope College volleyball team took the court for the first time as a reigning national champion on Friday and continued its winning ways.

The nationally ranked Flying Dutch swept Aurora, Illinois 25-18, 25-23, 25-18 in the opening round of the University of Chicago Gargoyle Classic.

Junior outside hitter Sarah Feldpausch of White Cloud, Michigan (White Cloud HS), recorded a match-high 13 kills for Hope, No. 3 in the preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association NCAA Division III rankings.

Newcomer Haley Muller chipped in 11 kills. The sophomore outside hitter from Grand Rapids, Michigan (Grand Rapids Christian HS), played for Calvin last season.

Senior All-American setter Lauren Hazekamp of Fruitport, Michigan (Fruitport HS), totaled 41 assists and eight digs.

Senior libero Allie Mitchell of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Forest Hills Eastern HS), collected a match-high nine digs. She was the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association's Defensive Player of the Year in 2014. 

Hope concludes the Gargoyle Classic with two matches today: Millikin at noon Central and host Chicago at 2:30 p.m. Central.