Consistency has become a defining characteristic of the Hope College volleyball program, and head coach Becky Schmidt sees that quality as one of the team's greatest strengths entering the 2026 season.

"What I like the most about this team is how consistent they are," Schmidt said. "They are coming in ready every day. We aren't having very many really high days and low days. We are coming in, getting to work and being very consistent."

That consistency has helped establish trust within a program that enters the season looking to build on another successful campaign. In 2025, the Flying Dutch finished 23-7 overall and 8-0 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play last season, completing an undefeated regular season for the fourth time in five seasons. Hope claimed its third consecutive MIAA regular-season championship and its 17th overall, continuing a remarkable run of conference success.The Flying Dutch also advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the eighth consecutive season before seeing their season come to an end against Carnegie Mellon University in the NCAA Regional Semifinal.

Hope enters this season ranked 17th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason poll and picked second in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll and will feature a 17-player roster with five freshmen, six sophomores, three juniors and three seniors.

Roster

Hope returns a pair of All-MIAA middle hitters in senior Kamryn Burbridge (Grand Haven, Michigan / Grand Haven HS) and junior Olivia Wyma. Burbridge added 287 kills in 106 sets last season and will provide another experienced offensive option for the Flying Dutch. 

Wyma returns as Hope's leading hitter after recording 292 kills in 108 sets last season. The Hartland, Wisconsin (Arrowhead) native is expected to return to the court in October as she continues to recover from an injury.

Senior Kathryn Oates (liberty Township, Ohio / Cincinnati Christian) also returns as a defensive specialist after averaging 4.70 digs per set last season.

With experience returning throughout the roster, Hope will also look to several younger players to take on expanded roles.

Sophomore Brooke Hehl (Rochester Hills, Michigan / Lutheran Northwest) is expected to step into the setter position after spending her freshman season learning behind four-time All-American Lauren  Lee and Gracie  Allen.

"Lauren was an incredible setter. I'm glad Brooke had a year under Lauren's and Gracie's tutelage to learn the position and what it looks like at Hope College," Schmidt said. "Brooke is a different type of setter than Lauren was, but she is capable of running our offense effectively, with balance and with savvy. I'm excited to see what she does with the opportunity."

Sophomore Amelia Gagnon (Belmont, Michigan / Grand Rapids West Catholic) will add depth in the back row, while sophomore Kate VanderHill (Hudsonville, Michigan / Unity Christian), junior Abby Samol (Mason, Ohio / William Mason) and freshman Maddie Ostrander (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Catholic) will look to make their mark in the middle of the front row alongside Burbridge.

Coaching Staff

Head coach: Becky Schmidt '99, 23rd season 

Associate head coach: Carrie Lehocky '09

Assistant coaches: Morgan Lockhart, Gabbi Wehrmeyer '20, Amber Morse '07

Schedule

Hope will test that consistency early and often.Ten of the Flying Dutch's 26 matches this season come against teams featured in the AVCA-Taraflex Division III Preseason Top 25 Coaches Poll, including three ranked opponents among Hope's first six matches.

The Flying Dutch open the season Friday, Sept. 4, at 2:30 p.m. against the University of Dubuque at the Illinois Wesleyan University Tournament.

Hope's annual team poster giveaway is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26.

MIAA competition begins Saturday, Oct. 3, when the Flying Dutch travel to face Trine University. The Rivalry returns Wednesday, Oct. 21, when Hope takes on Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The demanding schedule will provide plenty of opportunities for Hope to establish itself against some of the nation's top teams.

"There are definitely nationally ranked teams on our schedule," Schmidt said. "I don't think a lot about preseason rankings, but we have some traditional Division III powers on our schedule. I like how we are going to be pushed. We're not going to back away from anybody. We like being held accountable during the season to play really good volleyball."

For Schmidt and the Flying Dutch, that challenge fits the team's approach.

The rankings may provide an early snapshot of the season, but Hope's focus remains on the work in front of it.

"We're coming in, getting to work and being very consistent," Schmidt said. "I think it helps to develop some trust. I can trust they are ready to accomplish what we need to do every day."