The Hope College volleyball team dropped a straight-set decision (25-22, 25-21, 25-18) on the road at fourth-ranked University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Friday night.
The Flying Dutch (11-6, 2-0 MIAA) went blow-for-blow with the Blugolds early in set one, trading kills before Eau Claire broke a late 22-22 deadlock with three straight points.
Hope seized complete control in the second frame, riding a string of kills from Angie Butler and a pair of Kiera Morrison (Bartlett, Illinois / Wheaton Academy HS) aces to build a commanding 20-13 advantage. The Flying Dutch kept the pressure on throughout the frame, but Eau Claire managed to spark a late surge to edge out the Flying Dutch 25-21 in set two.
The Blugolds carried that momentum into the third set, taking an early lead and holding off late Hope pushes from senior Kamryn Burbridge (Grand Haven, Michigan / Grand Haven) and junior Olivia Wyma (Hartland, Wisconsin / Arrowhead) to secure the match sweep.
Burbridge was a force in the middle, throwing down 10 kills without committing a single error for a .435 hitting percentage. Burbridge also led the net defense with four blocks.
Junior Angie Butler (Novi, Michigan / Mercy) matched Burbridge with a team-high 10 kills to go alongside three blocks and four digs.
Sophomore setter Brooke Hehl (Rochester Hills, Michigan / Lutheran Northwest) kept the offense fluid with 27 assists and chipped in defensively with 10 digs to notch a double-double.
Senior Kathryn Oates (Liberty Township, Ohio / Cincinnati Christian) anchored the back row with a game-high 17 digs, while sophomore Amelia Gagnon (Belmont, Michigan / Grand Rapids West Catholic) provided strong defensive support with 14 digs.
Hope continues play in the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 10 a.m. CT against the University of Wisconsin-Superior and then takes on top-ranked University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh at 12 p.m. CT.
