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A Hope volleyball player serves the ball.

Women's Volleyball Alan Babbitt

Volleyball Picked as Favorite in MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

Senior Olivia Fiebing, pictured
The Hope College volleyball team, which advanced to the national quarterfinals last season, topped the 2023 MIAA Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Flying Dutch took first in the nine-team poll with 11 points and a league-best five first-place votes. Coaches could not vote for their own teams.

Hope finished one point ahead of second-place Calvin University. The Knights received four first-place votes.

Albion College placed third in the poll with 22 points and was followed by Adrian College (32), Trine University (35), Kalamazoo College (47), Saint Mary's College (50), Alma College (54) and University of Olivet (61).

Led by head coach Becky Schmidt, the Flying Dutch return several key student-athletes from last season, including two All-Americans: sophomore setter Lauren Lee and junior outside hitter Annie Lockett.

Lee (Plymouth, Michigan / Ann Arbor Skyline HS) ranked third in NCAA Division III with 11.06 assists per set and first in the MIAA with 11.22 assists per set in league play. The biology major was named American Volleyball Coaches Association Region 7 Player of the Year, MIAA Newcomer of the Year and to the All-MIAA First Team.

Lockett (Mason, Ohio / William Mason) received AVCA All-America Honorable Mention and All-Region distinctions as well as All-MIAA First Team honors.

Hope also returns All-MIAA Second Team middle hitter Alison DeWeerd, a junior from Kentwood, Michigan (Grand Rapids South Christian). 

The Flying Dutch completed last season with a 24-8 overall record and were runner-up in the MIAA regular-season standings.

Hope defeated Calvin University on the road in the regional finals to claim the fourth Elite Eight appearance in program history and the first since winning a national title in 2014.
 
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Players Mentioned

Alison DeWeerd

#17 Alison DeWeerd

MB
6' 0"
Sophomore
Social Work
Lauren Lee

#11 Lauren Lee

S
5' 7"
Freshman
Biology
Annie Lockett

#4 Annie Lockett

OH
6' 1"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Alison DeWeerd

#17 Alison DeWeerd

6' 0"
Sophomore
Social Work
MB
Lauren Lee

#11 Lauren Lee

5' 7"
Freshman
Biology
S
Annie Lockett

#4 Annie Lockett

6' 1"
Sophomore
OH