The 18th-ranked Hope College volleyball team flexed its balance and serving power during a 3–0 sweep over the University of California-Santa Cruz on Friday afternoon (25–9, 25–20, 25–21) and a second sweep against host Gallaudet University (25-16, 25-17, 25-21) in the evening at the Worthington Classic in Washington, D.C.

Hope improved to 7-4 on the season.

Hope dominated early against UC Santa Cruz, storming through the opening set behind a 14–1 run that featured four service aces from junior Kathryn Oates (Liberty Township, Ohio / Cincinnati Christian HS) and three from freshman Amelia Gagnon (Belmont, Michigan / Grand Rapids West Catholic). 

Junior Kamryn Burbridge (Grand Haven, Michigan / Grand Haven) and sophomore Olivia Wyma (Heartland, Wisconsin / Arrowhead) powered the attack at the net, each putting down early kills, while the Flying Dutch defense forced nine Banana Slug attack errors to take the set 25–9.

The second set was more competitive, with UC Santa Cruz pushing ahead 11–9 midway through. Hope's depth proved decisive, however. 

Freshman Kiera Morrison (Bartlett, Illinois / Wheaton Academy) delivered back-to-back service aces to swing momentum, and senior Ella Contant (Elmhurst, Illinois / York Community) contributed a pair of timely kills. 

A late 5–1 run, capped by an freshman Ella Deklyen (Jenison, Michigan / Tri-unity Christian) kill, gave Hope the 25–20 win and a two-set lead.

UC Santa Cruz (6–6) battled hard in the third, using 16 kills in the frame to stay within reach. But Hope's serving again created separation with senior Brooke Fox (Saunemin, Illinois / Pontiac Township) and Gagnon each dropping in aces, while Wyma and senior Kate Luurtsema (Alto, Michigan / South Christian) hammered home kills to secure the 25–21 victory and close out the sweep.

Burbridge led Hope with nine points on six kills, three blocks, and an ace. 

Luurtsema added seven kills at a .357 clip, and Wyma hit .556 with five kills. 

Oates anchored the back row with eight digs and a match-high four service aces. 

Senior Lauren Lee (Plymouth, Michigan / Skyline) distributed 24 assists and chipped in four digs against the Banana Slugs.

As a team, Hope hit .265 with 14 service aces and five team blocks, while holding UC Santa Cruz to a .095 hitting percentage.

After dropping the opening four points of the match against Gallaudet, the Flying Dutch quickly steadied behind the duo of Burbridge and Wyma.

Burbridge's kill from Lee got Hope on the board, and moments later Wyma delivered a kill to tie things at 6–6. That sparked a 7–2 run highlighted by an ace from  Gagnon and a pair of blocks by Wyma and Burbridge, giving Hope control in the first set. A late surge, capped by a Fox kill, secured the 25–16 win.

Hope carried its momentum into the second set, racing to a 10–4 lead on another ace from Gagnon. 

Contant and Wyma combined for a block to keep the run rolling, and Oates dropped in back-to-back aces to extend the margin to double digits at 17–7.  Burbridge closed the frame with her eighth kill of the night against the Bison as Hope sealed a 25–17 win.

The hosts pushed back in the third, battling through nine ties and four lead changes. With the set knotted at 20–20, Wyma broke through with a block, and Oates followed with consecutive service aces.  Morrison delivered a timely kill before finishing the match with a service ace for the 25–21 victory.

Wyma led the charge in game two at the net with eight kills and six blocks, while Burbridge matched her with eight kills and added four blocks. 

Fox chipped in eight kills and seven digs. 

Lee orchestrated the offense with 28 assists, and Oates anchored the defense with 17 digs and a team-best four aces. 

Gagnon also reached double figures in digs with 13 and added three aces.

As a team, Hope posted 37 kills, 10 blocks, and eight aces while holding Gallaudet (6–5) to a .088 hitting percentage.

Hope returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 20, with two final matches at Gallaudet: Franklin and Marshall College (Pennsylvania) and 10 a.m. and Whittier College (California) at noon.