by Alan Babbitt

A determined opponent with home-court advantage would not let the Hope College volleyball team muster one more memorable rally.

Eighth-ranked Wisconsin-Eau Claire downed No. 6-ranked Hope College in their NCAA Division III regional final on Saturday, winning 18-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-12 to advance to next week's national quarterfinals in St. Louis, Missouri.

The Flying Dutch closed the season with a 25-5 overall record and an MIAA regular-season championship.

Eau Claire (32-3) became the first opponent this season to take three consecutive sets from the Flying Dutch.

In the fourth set, Eau Claire snapped a 4-4 tie with four consecutive points and never trailed in the set again. Ariana Barrett, named the Eau Claire, Wisconsin Regional's Most Outstanding Player, recorded two of her match-high 19 kills during the decisive stretch.

Eau Claire begin clamping down defensively as well, The Flying Dutch hit only .145 during the fourth set with eight attack errors along with 16 kills.

The BluGolds out dug Hope, 84-74.

In the fifth set, Eau Claire seized control by scoring the first six points. Two Barrett kills contributed to the match-clinching run. Hope hit .000 for the set with seven attack errors and seven kills.

"It was certainly a disappointing finish, but an amazing journey. There were a lot of tears over that, but those came out of a place of love. That pain came out of love. Over their four years, they have demonstrated so much love for the game, love for the pursuit of being their best and the love for each other, and it has been incredible to be a part of," head coach Becky Schmidt said. 

Middle blocker McKenna Otto topped the Flying Dutch with 17 kills. The senior from Wheaton, Illinois (Wheaton North) made the all-tournament team along with senior setter Tracy Westra (Clarendon Hills, Illinois / Timothy Christian).

Senior outside hitter Ana Grunewald (Grand Rapids, Michigan, Michigan / East Grand Rapids) finished with 11 kills 

Senior outside hitter Molly Ligon (Beverly Hills, Michigan / Birmingham Seaholm) Atotaled also reached double-digits in kills with 10.