The third-ranked Hope College volleyball team completed the weekend on a high note after defeating ninth-ranked Calvin University in five sets on the road.
The Flying Dutch forced a fourth and fifth set after being down 2-1, collecting their second win against nationally-ranked opponents in as many days. They rebounded from a tough loss to one, too.
"It really showed how much we have in the tank," said head coach Becky Schmidt. "I'm super proud they found their courage and their will to take control back of that match."
On Friday in Chicago, Hope defeated seventh-ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in three sets but lost to host and 18th-ranked North Park University (Ill.) in four sets.
On Saturday, Hope (23-2) struck early, winning the first set. The Knights took the next two sets to intensify things, but Hope fought back.
The fourth set included six lead changes and 12 ties, with Hope emerging on top after collecting the final two points of the set with kills by junior Addie VanderWeide (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian HS) and senior Natalie Dunn (Holland, Michigan / West Ottawa).
In the race to the 15th point in the final set, Hope gained the lead early and never relinquished it.
"The key in the fourth and fifth set was our aggressiveness at the net. We weren't hesitant at all," said Schmidt. "Our blocking in the first three sets was not big, it wasn't imposing. One of the things we've found is our defense really creates a lot of opportunities and inspires us. Our defense has a big impact on generating momentum in the front row."
Dunn slammed home the final point onto the hardwood to complete another Rivalry win.
VanderWeide led the Flying Dutch with 15 kills, while Dunn added nine kills and junior Liz VanderSlice (Wyoming, Michigan / Grandville) chipped in 8 kills.
Senior Olivia Fiebing (Traverse City, Michigan / Central) had match-highs in digs, with 24, and in service aces, with six.
"What was really important from Olivia was in the fourth set she started getting really rangy, taking care of the ball in serve-receive as well as defensively," remarked Schmidt of her lone senior. "That was absolutely huge, her toughness to the end."
Freshman Kamryn Burbridge (Grand Haven, Michigan / Grand Haven) tallied a match-high nine blocks.
Sophomore setter Lauren Lee (Plymouth, Michigan / Skyline) finished with a match-high 42 assists in the five-set win.
Hope returns to MIAA action on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 6:30 p.m. at The University of Olivet. The Flying Dutch can clinch a share of an MIAA regular-season title and the top seed for the league tournament with a victory.
