by Alan Babbitt

The 15th-ranked Hope College volleyball team stayed on task, despite an exciting and action-packed weekend looming.

The Flying Dutch served up a three-set victory at Adrian College on Wednesday — winning 25-10, 25-17, 25-21 to improve to 23-5 overall and 6-1 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association standings.

Hope moved into a second-place tie with Alma College. After a 6:30 p.m. home match with Calvin College on Friday, October 26 that doesn't count toward the league race, the Flying Dutch conclude MIAA play at home on Saturday, October 27 at 1 p.m. against Olivet College. Calvin hosts Alma on October 27.

Against Adrian, freshman middle hitter McKenna Otto of Wheaton, Illinois (Wheaton North HS) led Hope with 10 kills and a .643 hitting percentage.

Otto, pictured left, reached double-digits in kills for the eighth consecutive match and the 16th overall, even though she only played in the first two sets.

Senior middle hitter Grace Ditzenberger of Centennial, Colorado (Chaparral), pictured right, chipped in eight kills.

Senior middle hitter Vanessa Reynhout of Freeport, Michigan (Lakewood) totaled five kills.

Sophomore Adair Cutler of Lansing, Michigan (Lansing Christian) collected 22 assists against Adrian (9-14, 2-5 MIAA).