by Alan Babbitt

A sizzling start for the Hope College women's basketball team cooked up another hearty win in The Rivalry for the Flying Dutch.

After soaring to a 9-0 lead during the first 87 seconds, top-ranked Hope soared to a 91-42 victory against Calvin University in Wednesday's MIAA opener.

In front of 1,590 fans at DeVos Fieldhouse, the Flying Dutch claimed their 12th consecutive victory against the Knights —  a program-best — and pushed their winning streak overall to 51 games — now the seventh-longest in NCAA Division III history.

Hope built a 54-24 halftime lead behind 60.0 percent shooting from the field in the first half (18-30) and 61.5 percent from 3-point range (8-13). The Flying Dutch entered the game leading the nation in field-goal percentage at 51.1 percent and tied for second in 3-point percentage (39.3).

The 91 points are the most Hope has ever scored against the Knights.

Head coach Brian Morehouse credited his players' crisp execution of assistant coach Kyle Lurvey's offense.

"It's a lot about spacing and pace of play, also being unselfish," Morehouse said after his team improved to 6-0 on the season. "The whole goal is for you to gain an advantage, so if they come to help, you be a good teammate and find the open person. It really helps to have players talented enough to make shots. Everybody we put in the game, we're like 'Let it fly. If you miss it, let's go O-board.'"

The Flying Dutch recorded a season-high 20 assists on 30 made baskets against Calvin (4-3, 0-1 MIAA).

Hope often found either center Olivia Voskuil or forward Kate Majerus, pictured from left to right.

Voskuil (Holland, Michigan / Holland Christian) scored a career-high 19 points in 18 minutes, 39 seconds. The senior shot 66.7 percent from the field (6-9) and 100 percent from the foul line (6-6). Voskuil also grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds and blocked four shots. 

Voskuil moved within five blocks of match Hope's career record of 215 blocks held by Carrie Snikkers (2007-11).

Majerus reached double figures with 14 points on 71.4 percent field-goal shooting (5-7) and 80 percent from 3-point range (4-5). 

The senior buried her first two 3-point attempts to spark the Flying Dutch's 9-0 start. 

Junior forward Savannah Feenstra equaled her career-highs with 14 points and nine rebounds off the bench. 

Three Flying Dutch recorded four assists apiece: senior guard Kasey DeSmit (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville), senior guard Kenedy Schoonveld (Zeeland, Michigan / Holland Christian), and junior guard Claire Baguley (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Central).

Baguley also scored nine points as the Flying Dutch pulled closer in The Rivarly. Calvin leads the all-time series, 71-58. 

Hope's next game is Saturday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. against Aquinas College at DeVos Fieldhouse. Prior to the game, the Flying Dutch will honor the undefeated 2019-20 and 2020-21 teams with a banner-unveiling ceremony.