Hope College Volleyball Secures Victory Against Marietta College
In an impressive showing, the 18th-ranked Hope College volleyball team triumphed over the 14th-ranked Marietta College on Friday night, securing a four-set victory at DeVos Fieldhouse. The match ended with scores of 25-13, 21-25, 25-14, and 25-17, extending Hope’s winning streak to six matches and improving their season record to 10-4.
Match Highlights
- Overall Team Performance: The Flying Dutch showcased a strong offensive performance, recording an overall hitting percentage of .315. Notably, four players achieved double-digit kills.
- Crucial Third Set: After dropping the second set, Hope regained control in the third, hitting an impressive .425 and scoring 12 of the final 14 points.
- Dominance in the Fourth Set: The team maintained momentum, never trailing in the fourth set.
Player Contributions
- Brooke Fox: The senior outside hitter led the match with 14 kills, achieving a .394 hitting percentage.
- Kiera Morrison: The freshman outside hitter made a significant contribution with a season-high 13 kills.
- Kamryn Burbridge: The junior middle blocker totaled 11 kills, reinforcing the team’s offensive strength.
- Olivia Wyma: The sophomore middle blocker added 10 kills and recorded four blocks.
- Ella Contant: Another standout, the senior middle hitter contributed a season-high eight kills.
- Lauren Lee: The senior setter played a pivotal role with 49 assists.
- Amelia Gagnon: The freshman defensive specialist led the defense with a season-high 17 digs.
Looking Ahead
The Flying Dutch will next face another challenging opponent, the seventh-ranked and unbeaten Illinois Wesleyan University. This match is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, at 1:30 PM, also at DeVos Fieldhouse. Prior to this, Illinois Wesleyan will compete against Marietta at 10:30 AM on Saturday.
Head Coach Becky Schmidt highlighted the team’s growth, stating, “We reasserted control in the third set. It started with passing and discipline on the block. I thought our pin hitters had a lot of purpose to them. Up to this point, it’s felt a little like we’re just swinging at balls. They were intentionally trying to hit the ball in different locations. That’s a huge step forward for us in terms of what we need.”
The match against Illinois Wesleyan promises to be another test of skill and strategy, as both teams enter the court with significant momentum.
