When the Thunder started to roll during set two, the powerhouse hitting squad of the Hope College volleyball team held firm.

The second-ranked and unbeaten Flying Dutch responded in force to earn a 25-13, 25-23, 25-16 road win at Wheaton College (Illinois) on Wednesday near Chicago.

Hope improved to 7-0 on the season heading into this weekend's national championship rematch with No. 1 Juniata College (Pennsylvania) on Friday, Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at DeVos Fieldhouse.

Seniors Alison DeWeerd (Kentwood, Michigan / South Christian HS) and Annie Lockett (Mason, Ohio / William Mason), and junior Brooke Fox (Saunemin, Illinois / Pontiac Township) delivered the power to a Flying Dutch attack at Wheaton. The trio helped Hope turn the dial back up after a close second set.

DeWeerd picked up 11 kills against Wheaton (5-2), while Lockett and Fox chipped in eight apiece.

Junior Lauren Lee (Plymouth, Michigan / Skyline), the reigning MIAA Specialist of the Week, fueled the offense with 38 assists.

Lee also led the team in aces with two. 

Senior Samantha Seib (Elkhorn, Wisconsin / Catholic Central) and sophomore Kathryn Oates (Liberty Township, Ohio / Cincinnati Christian) shared team-high dig honors with nine apiece. 

The Juniata match is part of a home-opening weekend for the Flying Dutch. The two-day tournament also features eighth-ranked University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and 6-1 Otterbein University (Ohio).