Note: The annual HOPEYs celebration of Hope College Athletics will be held on Monday, April 15, at 7 p.m. at DeVos Fieldhouse. The event is open to the public. Admission is free.
The Female Breakthrough of the Year is presented to a student-athlete (sophomore and above) who has made the best or most significant breakthrough in their sport during the year.
Rebecca Markham, Women's Cross Country/Women's Track and Field
The senior became the dominant distance runner for the Flying Dutch during the 2023 cross country and 2024 indoor seasons. In cross country, Markham earned MIAA Most Valuable and All-MIAA honors after leading the Flying Dutch to a league co-championships and being the MIAA individual champion. Markham raced to All-America accolades with a 26th-place run at nationals. During the indoor season, Markham ran away with league titles and All-MIAA honors in the indoor 3,000 and 5,000 meters and helped Hope repeat as MIAA team champion. Markham placed 17th in the indoor 5,000 meters at nationals in March.
Sydney Vis, Women's Basketball
The sophomore flourished on the basketball court in her first season as a starter for the Flying Dutch. A forward, Vis topped Hope in scoring with a 12.4 points-per-game average that ranked fifth among all MIAA players. Vis led the Flying Dutch in steals with 59, free-throws made with 86 and free-throws attempted with 110. Vis and the basketball team won the MIAA regular-season championship outright and finished with a 26-4 record after reaching the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.
Elena Salazar, Women's Lacrosse
As an attacker, Salazar broke through as the Flying Dutch's all-time leading goalscorer on April 20 when she scored the first goal of a 16-7 victory against Albion College at Van Andel Soccer Stadium. Salazar surpassed former teammate Carly Pieri's previous mark of 125 and finished the season with 150 for her career. With 49 goals for the season, Salazar helped the Flying Dutch claim their first MIAA regular-season and tournament championships.
Liz VanderSlice, Volleyball
The junior delivered her finest season on the volleyball court for the Flying Dutch. An outside hitter, VanderSlice posted career highs with 218 kills, 599 total attempts and 65 total blocks. VanderSlice delivered a career-high 12 kills during a five-set national quarterfinal victory against Johns Hopkins University (Md.) in Claremont, Calif. Hope finished the season as national runner-up and a 32-3 record that included NCAA regional, MIAA tournament and MIAA regular-season titles.
Libby Strotman, Women's Track and Field
The junior thrower set a personal record at a perfect time for the Flying Dutch during the 2023 outdoor track and field season. Strotman's career-best javelin toss of 36.07 meters (118 feet, 4 inches) made her MIAA event champion last May and helped the Flying Dutch win a fourth consecutive MIAA championship. Strotman also was named All-MIAA for the first time.
Abby Fansler, Women's Golf
The senior shined on the links last fall and made herself a contender for MIAA individual medalist honors this spring. Fansler averaged 79.0 strokes per 18 holes during play in September and October during the first three rounds of the MIAA's 108-hole championship format. Fansler was within four strokes of the overall lead when play resumed this spring. Fansler claimed medalist honors at the second MIAA Jamboree by shooting a 3-over-par 75 at Thornapple Pointe Golf Club on September 27 in Grand Rapids.
