Tensions high. A crowded arena. An engaged crowd. Everything that you want for a nationally-ranked rivalry match.
The Hope College volleyball team exited Van Noord Arena smiling after taking down No. 24 Calvin University in The Rivalry for the fifth consecutive time.
The second-ranked Flying Dutch (12-2) swept the Knights in the MIAA opener, 25-19, 25-20, 25-20, in front of a crowd of 1,717 on Tuesday night in Grand Rapids.
It was Hope's fourth consecutive victory against a nationally-ranked opponent and second consecutive sweep of one.
Head coach Becky Schmidt was proud of her team's performance.
"When we are able to consistently spread the ball to both antennas, get the distance we need in order to create some angles then establish our middle, it opens up things for everybody," Schmidt said. "It also makes life more difficult for our opponents to block. I thought Lauren had a great match and found hitters in lots of good situations."
Calvin had the upper hand early, leading during the first set before Hope rallied from behind 6-1. The Flying Dutch tallied 10 of the final 12 points.
Hope grabbed seven of the first 10 points during the second set. The Knights stayed close, evening the score with Hope three different times during the third set, but senior Addie VanderWeide (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian HS) slammed home the final point with a soaring hit from the back row.
VanderWeide led the Flying Dutch with 12 kills.
Sophomore Kamryn Burbridge (Grand Haven, Michigan / Grand Haven) tallied a season-high 11 kills.
Seniors Alison DeWeerd (Kentwood, Michigan / South Christian) and Annie Lockett (Mason, Ohio / William Mason) each added nine kills.
Burbridge had a match-high four blocks.
"She did a really nice job, a lot better spacing, a lot better spacing off the net to give her some room to hit around a block," Schmidt said of Burbridge.
Senior Samantha Seib (Elkhorn, Wisconsin / Catholic Central) had a match-high in digs, with 20.
Junior setter Lauren Lee (Plymouth, Michigan / Skyline) put up a match-high 41 assists in the victory.
The victory was the Flying Dutch's fifth in a row in The Rivalry, their longest winning streak since a nine-match run from 1978 to 1981.
Hope returns to MIAA action on home court against Saint Mary's College on Saturday, Oct. 5, at noon.
