Presented to the freshman or transfer that made a significant impact within their sport during their first year on the team. 

NOTE: The annual HOPEYs celebration of Hope College Athletics will be held on Monday, April 17, at 7 p.m. at DeVos Fieldhouse. The event is open to the public. Admission is free.

Sullivan Moran, Women's Tennis

As a freshman in 2022, Moran excelled on the court finishing MIAA league play 8-0 against opponents at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles. She was ranked #22 in the ITA Central Region in singles and #17 in doubles play. Moran was also named to the All-MIAA First Team. On her career for the Flying Dutch, Moran has a 58-17 overall record which is already 15th all-time in program wins for Hope. 

Greta Gidley, Women's Swim & Dive

 In her first season swimming for the Flying Dutch, Gidley broke six school records and set an MIAA open record. She qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships as an individual where she swam to a national runner-up performance in the 200-yard Individual Medley and earned All-American First Team Honors. In this event, she lowered her own Hope College and MIAA record. Gidley also turned in All-American Second Team Honors in five additional events: the 100-yard Butterfly, 100-yard Freestyle, 400-yard Medley Relay, 400-yard Freestyle Relay, and the 800-yard Freestyle Relay. 

Madison Stern, Women's Cross Country and Women's Track & Field

In her first year competing for the Flying Dutch, Stern was a member of the MIAA Cross Country Championship team and ran to a 10th place individual finish. This performance earned her All-MIAA honors. She competed at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships where she was named to the All-Region Team. Stern also ran on the team at the NCAA Division III Championships that finished in 13th place. During the Indoor Track & Field Season, Stern was a member of the Distance Medley Relay that set a school record and qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships. 

Lauren Lee, Volleyball

During her freshman season, Lee made an immediate impact for the Flying Dutch. As a setter, she finished first in the MIAA with 303 assists and averaged 11.22 assists per set. She also contributed 18 service aces during league play. Her performance on the court earned her the MIAA Freshman Player of the Year Award and All-MIAA First Team honors. Additionally, Lee was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Region 7 Freshman of the Year and was selected to the AVCA All-America Third Team. 

Sara Schermerhorn, Indoor Women's Track & Field

As a freshman, Schermerhorn broke the school record in the 200-meter dash on five separate occasions. She ran to first place finishes at the MIAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in the 60-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, and the 4x400-meter relay. Schermerhorn also broke the MIAA records in these three events. She was named to the All-MIAA team. Schermerhorn qualified as an individual for the NCAA Division III Championships in the 200-meter dash and finished as one of the top first-year sprinters in the nation. 

Sam Vermeesch, Softball

As a junior transfer, Vermeesch has given significant innings in the circle to start the 2023 season. Through 17 games she has appeared in nine, going 5-1, with an ERA of 1.01 and two saves. In 34.2 innings she has struck out 38 batters and given up only four extra base hits and two walks.