by Alan Babbitt

The Hope College volleyball team closed out its first match in 489 days in fantastic fashion.

The Flying Dutch scored eight of the final nine points, including the last five in a row, against Alma College during Friday's season opener.

Playing for the first time since November 16, 2019 NCAA Division III Tournament regional final, Hope's late surge secured a 25-17, 25-20, 25-22 victory at DeVos Fieldhouse.

Outside hitter Ana Grunewald, pictured far right, topped the Flying Dutch with a game-high 12 kills.

The junior from Grand Rapids, Michigan (East Grand Rapids) also recorded eight digs.

Two of Grunewald's teammates chipped in seven kills apiece: junior middle hitter McKenna Otto of Wheaton, Illinois (Wheaton North) and sophomore middle hitter Charlotte Brecht of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan (Grosse Pointe South).

Senior setter Adair Cutler of Lansing, Michigan (Lansing Christian), pictured left, totaled 24 assists.

The match counted in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association standings.

Hope's next match is Friday, March 26 against Albion College at DeVos Fieldhouse.