Hope (24-7) vs. Juniata (31-1)

The Flying Dutch are on a three-game winning streak. After bouncing back from a three-set loss to 25-win Albion College in the semifinals of the MIAA Tournament at Calvin University, Hope received an at-large berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament and went on to win the Grand Rapids, Michigan, Regional, also hosted by Calvin.

This is Hope's fourth appearance in the NCAA Division III national quarterfinals and the first in eight years. The Flying Dutch won the national title in 2014 in Newport News, Virginia, advanced to the national semifinals in 2009 in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and played in the national quarterfinals in 2009 at Hope's DeVos Fieldhouse.

In regional play, the Flying Dutch started as the sixth seed but defeated three teams ranked in the most recent American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25: No. 9-ranked Wittenberg University (Ohio) in three sets in the regional quarterfinals, No. 10 Washington University in St. Louis in four sets in the regional semifinals, and No. 3 Calvin in five sets.

Head coach Becky Schmidt '99 has guided Hope to all four appearances in the national quarterfinals and 14 of the Flying Dutch's 18 NCAA Tournament appearances. Schmidt's career record is 515-169, including a 477-127 in 19 seasons at her alma mater and a 38-33 record in three seasons at the University of Redlands (California).

A 1999 Hope graduate, Becky Schmidt played middle blocker and ranked among the NCAA leaders in several statistical categories. She was voted the MIAA's Most Valuable Player as both a junior and senior. As a senior, Schmidt became the first Hope volleyball player to receive NCAA Division III All-American honors. She was also awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.

Becky Schmidt's 500th career win came in dramatic fashion. Down two sets to one against unbeaten Albion in the MIAA opener, the Flying Dutch charged back for a 25-22, 24-26, 25-21, 26-24, 15-11 victory on September 20 at home at DeVos Fieldhouse.

The Flying Dutch are bidding to become the second Hope team in eight months to win a national championship in Pittsburgh. Last March, the top-ranked Flying Dutch women's basketball team won two games in three days at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse to claim the program's third national title in team history. Hope defeated MIAA rival Trine University in the national semifinals and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the national championship game. Hope's four national titles have been earned by women's basketball and volleyball.

This is the second time Hope and Juniata have met in postseason play. In 2014, the Flying Dutch rallied to win a five-set thriller in the regional semifinals (21-25, 25-27, 25-20, 25-14, 15-8) at Wittenberg University (Ohio). It was one of three five-set victories Hope recorded in postseason play.

After topping Juniata, the Flying Dutch beat Wittenberg in the regional final, then went to win three matches at national championship host Christopher Newport University: Clarkson University (N.Y.) in three sets in the national quarterfinals, Calvin in the three sets in the national semifinals and Emory University (Ga.) in the national title match. Against Emory, senior outside hitter Jenna Grasmeyer recorded a match-high 22 kills during a 25-21, 21-25, 25-22, 24-26, 15-8 victory.

The Flying Dutch broke through to the national quarterfinals this season after falling one match short the previous two seasons. In 2021, Hope lost in the regional final at eventual national champion University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in four sets (18-25, 25-22, 25-21, 25-12). In 2019, the Flying Dutch fell at Calvin in four sets, 25-19, 25-20, 21-25, 25-20 in the regional championship match.

Hope graduated most of its starting lineup from the 2021 season, including a pair of All-Americans in outside hitter McKenna Otto and setter Tracy Westra. Middle blocker Charlotte Brecht was the only returning regular who played in all 30 matches last season.

Freshman setter Lauren Lee made an immediate impact for the Flying Dutch this season. The Plymouth, Michigan, native became the first Hope freshman to be selected to the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America team for NCAA Division III. It is the 14th time a Hope student-athlete has received AVCA All-America honors. Lee is the first freshman to earn the distinction.

Lauren Lee ranks third in the nation in assists per set at 11.10. Thanks in part to Lee's passing, the Flying Dutch are 13th nationally in hitting percentage at .243.

Lauren Lee has racked up numerous accolades this season. She was chosen as the Grand Rapids, Michigan, Regional Most Valuable Player. She was named the AVCA Region 7 Freshman of the Year as well as to the AVCA All-Region Teams. Lee also was selected as the MIAA Freshman of the Year and as the All-MIAA First Team.

Sophomore outside hitter Annie Lockett joined Lauren Lee on the AVCA All-Region Team and All-MIAA First Team. It's her first season with the Flying Dutch, too. The Mason, Ohio, native transferred from Eastern Michigan University after playing in 20 matches and making 17 starts there last season.

Annie Lockett tops Hope this season at 4.01 kills per set average that ranks as the seventh-highest in Division III this season.

Annie Lockett is not the only member of her family competing for a nationally-ranked team at Hope. Her older brother, Ted, is a senior swimmer for the 16th-ranked Hope College men's swimming and diving team.

The Flying Dutch also had two middle blockers receive All-MIAA Second Team honors this season: Charlotte Brecht and sophomore Alison DeWeerd. This is the third All-MIAA
honor for Brecht and the first for DeWeerd.

Alison DeWeerd leads Hope in blocks per set at 0.83. The East Kentwood, Michigan, native also is averaging 2.44 kills per set.

Charlotte Brecht is an effective blocker as well at 0.81 blocks per set. The Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, native also is averaging 2.16 kills per set.

Senior outside hitter Emma Post has been a two-way force for the Flying Dutch. The Hudsonville, Michigan, native is averaging 2.32 kills and 2.82 digs per set.

Hope's defense is led by junior Olivia Fiebing and sophomore Grace Marshall. Fiebing (Traverse City, Michigan) tops the Flying Dutch at 3.95 digs per set. Marshall, a DeWitt, Michigan native and transfer from Cleveland State University, is second at 3.3 digs per set.