A beautiful game. 

A game with ups. A game with downs. 

But most importantly, a game that brings togetherness. That's what the game of volleyball did for the 2024 Hope College volleyball team.

The game brought lifelong friendships and camaraderie that will last far longer than the disappointment after a hard-fought, five-set loss in the NCAA Division III semifinals on Thursday at the Cregger Center in Salem, Virginia.

"I don't think I'd be the person I am without Hope Volleyball and the people who make up Hope Volleyball," said senior Addie VanderWeide. "They've truly made me into a better person." 

Head coach Becky Schmidt has no regrets after a showdown of the top two teams in the nation. The second-ranked Flying Dutch forced top-ranked Juniata into its first five-set match in two seasons, but the 34-0 Eagles rallied for an 18-25, 22-25, 25-20, 25-15, 15-11 victory at Roanoke College's Cregger Center.

"We played free [in sets one and two]," Schmidt said. "it was another opportunity to play the game we love with the people we love."

Hope finished the season with a 29-3 record. The semifinal appearance was the Flying Dutch's fourth all-time and second in a row. Hope lost in the 2023 national championship match to Juniata in Claremont, California.

Juniata, winners of an NCAA-record 96 matches in a row, advanced to the championship match against sixth-ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. The Eagles are seeking a title three-peat.

In a gym filled with fans clad in blue and orange, Hope gave its all. The Flying Dutch took the first two sets in controlling fashion, and put Juniata in an unfamiliar place behind. The Eagles rose to the occasion, earning their fourth victory against Hope during their unprecedented winning streak.

"I appreciated the fight of that match," said Schmidt. "I think there were a lot of moments of consequence. I think beginning in set three, four and five, Juniata played a little bit freer."

VanderWeide (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian HS) tallied 19 digs while swinging down a team-high 14 kills. 

Junior Lauren Lee (Plymouth, Michigan / Skyline) orchestrated the Hope offense and sent out 37 assists. 

Defensively, senior Samantha Seib (Elkhorn, Wisconsin / Catholic Central) had a match-high 29 digs. 

Junior outside hitter Brooke Fox (Saunemin, Illinois / Pontiac Township) finished with a .360 attack percentage with 10 kills. Fox also served six aces.

Fox spoke highly of Hope Volleyball's culture and the role of the 2024 senior class that included Seib, VanderWeide, NCAA Elite 90 award recipient Eva Hartung, Alison DeWeerd, Annie Lockett and Grace Marshall.

"These seniors are the foundation of our team," Fox said. "They are our culture, they made it and shaped it into what it is today. I think it's one of the best cultures in the country. I'm super proud of all of them."