Demonstrating strong late-set execution and a relentless attack, the Hope College volleyball team swept through 21st-ranked St. Olaf College and host Coe College on Saturday to complete a 3-0 weekend at the Coe College-Cornell College Tournament.
The Flying Dutch improved their overall record to 7-3 on the season following back-to-back 3-0 performances.
Hope launched Saturday morning with a sharp 25-21, 25-21, 26-24 victory over St. Olaf College. The Flying Dutch set an aggressive tone early, swinging at a .324 clip in the opening set as senior Kamryn Burbridge (Grand Haven, Michigan / Grand Haven HS) and sophomore Kiera Morrison (Bartlett, Illinois / Wheaton Academy HS) established the frontline attack in a 25-21 win.
In set two, Morrison took over from the service line late, firing back-to-back aces to break a tight frame and push Hope to another 25-21 victory.
St. Olaf pushed back in a high-intensity third set that featured 10 ties and six lead changes. Facing set point down 24-23, Hope closed with three consecutive points. Morrison put down a kill to tie it, an opponent attack error gave Hope match point, and Morrison terminated the final ball to lock up the 26-24 sweep.
Burbridge paced the squad with a match-high 12 kills on a .250 hitting percentage. Morrison turned in a double-double with 10 kills, three aces, and seven digs. Junior Angie Butler (Novi, Michigan / Mercy) and sophomore Kate VanderHill (Hudsonville, Michigan / Unity Christian) chipped in eight kills each, with VanderHill swinging at a team-best .385 clip.
Sophomore setter Brooke Hehl (Rochester Hills, Michigan / Lutheran Northwest) orchestrated the offense with 36 assists, seven digs, and three blocks. Defensively, sophomore Amelia Gagnon (Belmont, Michigan / Grand Rapids West Catholic) pulled up a match-high 18 digs, supported by senior Kathryn Oates (Liberty Township, Ohio / Cincinnati Christian) with 14 digs.
Carrying their momentum into the afternoon, the Flying Dutch shut down host Coe College with a 25-20, 25-22, 25-21 sweep.
Hope stormed out to a 10-1 lead in set one behind early Coe misfires and strong net play. Though Coe mounted a late rally to close the gap to 24-20, Burbridge hammered home her sixth kill of the game to seal the 25-20 triumph.
Set two featured 11 ties and eight lead changes in a grueling back-and-forth battle. Down 22-21 late, Hope authored a game-closing 4-0 run behind a Gagnon service ace, a Burbridge kill, and a joint block by Hehl and Burbridge to take the set 25-22.
The Flying Dutch finalized the afternoon sweep with a methodical third set. Holding a slim 23-21 lead, Burbridge put down a setup from Hehl before an opponent attack error sealed the match victory.
Burbridge was dominant at the net, putting down a match-high 16 kills with an efficient .560 hitting efficiency alongside six blocks. Freshman Reese Lowe (Byron Center, Michigan / Byron Center) and VanderHill supplied five kills each. Hehl guided the attack with 31 assists, four digs, and three blocks. Oates anchored the backline with a match-high 18 digs, while Gagnon collected 12 digs.
Hope returns to action at home, hosting the Hope College Tourney at DeVos Fieldhouse on Friday-Saturday, Sept. 25-26.
