After two consecutive trips to the Final Four, the Hope College volleyball team has a lot of new faces.
The No. 3 Flying Dutch return three starters with setter Lauren Lee, middle hitter Kamryn Burbridge and outside hitter Brooke Fox.
The rest of the team is a mix of players who are new to the starting ranks, whether it be playing behind an All-American last year or being new to the team altogether.
Hope started the season strong during the weekend with 3-0 sweeps of Ohio Northern and Concordia University on Friday and Saturday, respectively, at DeVos Fieldhouse.
“I love the way these players stepped into this moment and really played with a lot of joy and a lot of grit to be able to handle these moments,” Hope coach Becky Schmidt said. “I’m super proud of them and thankful that we have people of such great character on our team.”
In the opening 25-15, 25-15, 25-17 win over Ohio Northern, Fox had 13 kills, while Burbridge and Olivia Wyma each had eight. Lee dished out 36 assists and Kathryn Oates had 12 digs and three aces.
The Flying Dutch then defeated Concordia (Wis.) 25-20, 25-17, 25-19.
Kate Luurtsema had 10 kills. Lee had seven kills to go along with 30 assists. Wyma had six blocks and Oates had 18 digs.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: After two Final Fours, Hope College volleyball opens season with wins, new faces
Reporting by Dan D’Addona, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
