The nationally ranked Hope College volleyball team will surround a new starting setter with a cast of experienced and talented hitters for the 2016 season.
Coach Becky Schmidt's Flying Dutch return their four top hitters from a year ago: outside hitters Sarah Feldpausch, Haley Muller and Katie Rietberg, and middle hitter Courtney Van Houzen.
Sophia Hackett steps into the setter role for Hope. She backed up standout Lauren Hazekamp last season.
Hope was ranked 17th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Preseason Poll and second in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Preseason Coaches Poll.
Head coach: Becky Schmidt
Assistant coaches: Tom Doherty, Jean Kegerreis, Jon Chiczewski, Travis Wallace
Roster total: 16
Class breakdown: Seniors - 3, Juniors - 5, Sophomores - 4, Freshmen - 4
Key returners: S Sophia Hackett, OH Sarah Feldpausch, OH Haley Muller, OH Katie Rietberg, L Alexis Thompson, MH Courtney Van Houzen
Departures: Lauren Hazekamp, Jane Kessel, Allie Mitchell, Jamie Rogalski. Hazekamp was a three-time All-American and a All-MIAA First Team selection as a senior. Mitchell was the MIAA's Defensive Player of the Year in 2015.
2015 season: 24-7 overall, 14-2 MIAA. Advanced to first round of NCAA Division III Championship
2016 opener: Friday, Sept. 2 vs. SUNY Geneseo at Mount Union Purple Raider Classic
Of note:
Click below to watch an interview Coach Schmidt.
