The 17th-ranked Flying Dutch soared past the Scots of Alma in just three sets on Tuesday night.
Following a 2-1 showing at the Midwest Invitational last weekend, the Hope volleyball team returned to MIAA league action at DeVos Fieldhouse, where they grabbed their second sweep of their opponent in a row to improve to 19-5.
The home team stayed resilient in all three sets to reel in the wins, as Alma attempted comeback runs during each set. Three battles and three wins for the orange and blue as they recorded six different instances during the match with at least a five-point lead over the Scots.
"I think one of the things we did really well today, was that our passers gave our offense a lot of really good opportunities, good passes in serve-receive, and digs defensively to create opportunities for us to use our offense," said head coach Becky Schmidt.
The third set brought the toughest test of the game when Alma succeeded in a six-point run to bring them within one point of Hope.
"When teams push us and put our backs against the wall, our team likes to have to fight their way out of it", said Schmidt of the third set. "I think that was just a little bit of that mentality and finally said let's get this done."
Freshman Lauren Lee led Hope in three categories in the team's 19th win of the season; hit percentage, digs, and assists. The Plymouth, MIchigan (Skyline HS) native recorded 15 digs, 33 assists and had a .571 hit percentage for the night. The setter also tallied a season-best 8 kills against Alma.
Sophomore Annie Lockett ( Mason, Ohio / William Mason) served up a team-high three service aces, while also leading the Flying Dutch with 11 kills and two blocks. Senior Charlotte Brecht also recorded two blocks in the win.
Sophomore Grace Marshall (DeWitt, Michigan / DeWitt) had 14 digs, while senior Emma Post (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) tallied 13 digs and two service aces.
Jenna Core, a senior from Spring Lake, Michigan (Spring Lake), had nine kills in the 3-0 sweep.
The Flying Dutch play host to Calvin University on Friday, October 21 at DeVos Fieldhouse for their next matchup at 6:30 p.m.
