The second-ranked Hope College volleyball team used grit in a tough environment to take down its first MIAA opponent of the season on the road Tuesday night. 

The Flying Dutch secured a thrilling four-set win over Albion College 25-19, 25-12, 28-30, 25-22. 

"I was really proud of the team to stay hungry and stay confident and to find ways to get the win," said head coach Becky Schmidt. "Even in the set we lost, we were able to come back and find ways to be able to push into extra points."

Hope improved to 12-0 this season. 

After the Orange and Blue took the first two sets, the foes battled through 15 different tie scores in the third set, and nine in the fourth. Hope secured the win with the final two points of the match coming from junior Addie VanderWeide and sophomore Brooke Fox (Saunemin, Illinois / Pontiac Township HS)

VanderWeide (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian) led Hope with a season-high 23 kills.

Junior Alison DeWeerd (Kentwood, Michigan / South Christian) added 13 kills to the mix for Hope, while also putting up five blocks in the win. 

"Addie is so versatile in the front row, but a lot of those [opportunities] were created by how effective our middles were in holding that block," Schmidt said.

Sophomore setter Lauren Lee (Plymouth, Michigan / Skyline) had a season-high 56 assists for the Flying Dutch. 

Senior Olivia Fiebing (Traverse City, Michigan / Central) had a match-high 28 digs. 

Junior Sammie Seib recorded 24 digs, a season-high for the Elkhorn, Wisconsin (Catholic Central) native. 

"Our defense was creating a lot of those [offensive] opportunities, we were playing very aggressive," Schmidt said. "I think Sammie had one of the best defensive games I've seen her play." 

The Flying Dutch return home to DeVos Fieldhouse to face-off against league member Kalamazoo College on Friday, Sept. 29. After the 7 p.m. game, there will be a team poster giveaway.