Rival Calvin Upsets Flying Dutch (11/7/09)
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It's now a waiting game for the Flying Dutch who lost an opportunity to gain an automatic berth in the NCAA championships after bowing to rival Calvin in four games (15-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-13) in the MIAA tournament title match on Saturday. The win sends Calvin to the NCAA tournament while Hope must wait until Monday to see if an at-large berth is their's. Hope will be hosting an NCAA Regional next week. With a 30-3 season record and national ranking, the Flying Dutch are a likely candidate for an NCAA bid.

Flying Dutch Advance With Milestone Win (11/6/09)
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The Flying Dutch have advanced to the championship match of the conference tournament after posting a speedy three-set victory over Albion on Friday night, 25-10, 25-17, 25-5. The Flying Dutch become just the third Hope volleyball squad in school history to post 30-or-more wins, joining the 1987 (32-3) and 1998 (33-8) teams.

It sets the stage for Saturday's championship match at Hope's DeVos Fieldhouse between the Flying Dutch (30-2) and Calvin Knights (26-6). It will begin at 4 p.m.

Friday semi-final victory over Albion took only 50 minutes to accomplish, the fastest sweep of an opponent this season. Junior Kara VandeGuchte was again outstanding at the net with 13 kills and no errors in 17 attacks. The Flying Dutch served 11 aces led by Andrea Helminiak's five.

The top-seeded team in the Great Lakes Region of Division III, the Flying Dutch will be hosting the Regional tournament beginning next Thursday at DeVos Fieldhouse. Hope and Calvin have been nationally ranked the entire season and each stands a good chance of advancing into the national tournament.

Hope Will Host NCAA Volleyball Regional
Hope College has been selected to host an eight-team NCAA Division III volleyball regional tournament at the DeVos Fieldhouse on Nov. 12-14. Six of the eight regional sites for the 62-team tournament field were announced today by the NCAA. The participating teams, pairings and times will be announced next Monday, Nov. 9.

This is the first time Hope has been selected to host an NCAA volleyball regional. Hope has been host the last two years of the Division III women's basketball final four. continue

Flying Dutch Advance in MIAA Tourney (11/3/09)
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The Flying Dutch cruised into the semi-finals of the conference tournament behind a first round, three-set victory over visiting Olivet Tuesday night, 25-13, 25-12, 25-16.

Coach Becky Schmidt's nationally ranked squad will host the semi-finals and championship match of the tournament on Friday and Saturday at the DeVos Fieldhouse. The tournament champion will advance to the NCAA Division III championships.

The Flying Dutch, ranked fifth nationally this week in Division III, improved to 29-2 on the season. They are a victory away from becoming just the third Hope team to record 30 victories in a season. The 1987 team finished 32-3 while the 1998 squad was 33-8.

In a match that last just an hour, the Flying Dutch were led at the net by Jacie Fiedler with 10 kills. Cassidy Bulthuis and Kristen Johnson each had 14 digs while setter Andrea Helminiak was credited with 41 assists.

Flying Dutch Clinch Outright MIAA Title;
Win All Four Midwest Invite Matches (10/31/09)
Hope/Hanover Box Score
Hope/Trine Box Score
Hope/Adrian Box Score
Hope/Manchester Box Score
The Flying Dutch have won all of their matches in the weekend's Midwest Invitational which was held at multiple sites. On Friday at Trine the Flying Dutch clinched an outright Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) championship sweeping the host Thunder in three sets, 25-19, 25-17, 25-22. In another Friday match, the nationally ranked Flying Dutch defeated Hanover, 25-12, 27-25, 25-19

Moving to their home court for Saturday's matches, the Flying Dutch first swept league opponent Adrian, 25-10, 25-7, 25-10 and followed with another sweep of Manchester, Ind., 25-12, 25-8, 25-11. The Flying Dutch approach the end of the regular season with a 28-2 record, including a perfect 16-0 mark in the MIAA. The MIAA championship is the third in six years under coach Becky Schmidt and the 15th in school history.

Flying Dutch Clinch Outright MIAA Title (10/30/09)
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The Flying Dutch clinched an outright Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) championship on Friday sweeping Trine in three sets, 25-19, 25-17, 25-22

The match was part of the Midwest Invitational which switches to Hope on Saturday. In another match on Friday night, the nationally ranked Flying Dutch defeated Hanover, 25-12, 27-25, 25-19

The Flying Dutch enter the final weekend of the regular season with a 26-2 record, including 15-0 in the MIAA.

The championship is the third in six years under coach Becky Schmidt and the 15th in school history.

Flying Dutch Clinch Share of MIAA Title
Defeat Rival Calvin Before Record Crowd (10/28/09)
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Playing before an NCAA Division III record crowd, the Flying Dutch on Wednesday night clinched at least a share of their second consecutive Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) championship with a miraculous come-from-behind five-set victory over rival Calvin.

Calvin had a 2-1 advantage and the momentum after three sets (22-25, 25-22, 27-25), but the Flying Dutch seized the moment by running away with the fourth and fifth sets (25-12, 15-6). The victories put Hope at 14-0 in the MIAA and 24-2 overall.

With two conference matches remaining, coach Becky Schmidt's nationally ranked Flying Dutch have a two game advantage over the second place Knights. Hope has also clinched the home court advantage throughout the conference tournament when it begins next week.

A crowd estimated at 2,775 watched the match between the #5 ranked Flying Dutch and #13 Knights. The attendance was a regular season NCAA Division III mark surpassing the previous record of 2,307 which was also a Hope/Calvin match in 2007 at Hope's DeVos Fieldhouse.

Hope entered the match the top-ranked Division III team in the Great Lakes Region. The ranking is important because it determines seeding when the NCAA tournament begins next month. Hope has put in a bid to host an NCAA Regional tournament. Sites will be announced next week.

Cassidy Bulthuis, this week's MIAA Player of the Week, led the Flying Dutch at the net with 21 kills. Others with double-digit kills included Jacie Fiedler 17, Kara VandeGuchte 13, and Sara DeWeerdt 11. Kristen Johnson led the team with 20 defensive digs followed by Andrea Helminiak 17, Sara DeWeerdt 16, Cassidy Bulthuis 16 and Trcia Baker 12. Setter Andrea Helminiak was credited with 54 assists.

Flying Dutch Inch Closer to MIAA Title (10/24/09)
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Photo Gallery -- Dig for a Cure
The Flying Dutch completed a weekend sweep of MIAA opponents by defeating host Kalamazoo in three sets Saturday, 25-15, 27-25, 25-9. Coach Becky Schmidt's nationally ranked Dutch improved to 13-0 in the MIAA and 23-2 overall. Jacie Fiedler and Cassidy Bulthuis each had 12 kills. Three players had double-digit digs -- Kristen Johnson 17, Andrea Helminiak 13 and Sara DeWeerdt 10.

Flying Dutch Sweep Britons to Stay Unbeaten (12-23-09)
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The nationally ranked Flying Dutch launched a weekend of MIAA play by sweeping visiting Albion in three sets on Friday night, 25-12, 25-13, 25-20. On a night celebrating the life of coach Karen Page who died this past summer after a courageous fight against cancer, the Flying Dutch moved to 12-0 in the MIAA and 22-2 overall. Coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch, ranked sixth in Division III, travel to Kalamazoo for another MIAA match on Saturday afternoon.

Friday's theme was part a national collegiate volleyball effort to "Dig for a Cure" with players from both teams and many fans wearing pink-colored apparel. Fund raisers held in conjunction with the event will benefit the Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids.

The Flying Dutch were led at the net by Jacie Fiedler and Cassidy Bulthuis who combined for 20 kills (10 each) in just 35 attempts and with only one error. Setter Andrea Helminiak was credited with 35 assists while Kristen Johnson finished with 18 digs and Helminiak had 10.

Flying Dutch Sweep Host Belles (10/20/09)
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There was no doubt this time around as the nationally ranked Flying Dutch swept the host Saint Mary's Belles on Tuesday night. In their first meeting the Belles extended the Flying Dutch to five sets before succumbing. This time the match lasted less than an hour and went just three sets as the Flying Dutch prevailed 25-12, 25-13, 25-13.

Ranked a season-best number six in the new AVCA Division III national poll, coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch improved to 11-0 in the MIAA and 21-2 overall.

Junior Kara VandeGuchte had 11 kills in 14 attacks and committed no errors in the match. Setter Andrea Helminiak was credited with 30 assists and had a team-high 15 digs.

Flying Dutch Remain Unbeaten in MIAA (10/20/09)
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There was no doubt this time around as the nationally ranked Flying Dutch swept the host Saint Mary's Belles on Tuesday night. In their first meeting the Belles extended the Flying Dutch to five sets before succumbing. This time the match lasted less than an hour and went just three sets as the Flying Dutch prevailed 25-12, 25-13, 25-13.

Ranked a season-best number six in the new AVCA Division III national poll, coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch improved to 11-0 in the MIAA and 21-2 overall.

Junior Kara VandeGuchte had 11 kills in 14 attacks and committed no errors in the match. Setter Andrea Helminiak was credited with 30 assists and had a team-high 15 digs.

Flying Dutch Beat the Clock and Comets
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The nationally ranked Flying Dutch made quick work of visiting Olivet on Wednesday to remain undefeated in conference play. In a match that took only 54 minutes to complete, coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch swept the Comets 25-12, 25-12, 25-18 to mark the team's 20th win of the season. Ranked seventh in this week's NCAA Division III poll, the Dutch improved to 20-2 overall and 10-0 overall. The Flying Dutch have won 20-or-more matches five straight seasons.

Sophomore Jacie Fiedler was credited with 15 kills in just 23 attempts. Jamie Kline ended with 11 digs while Carrie Lehocky served three of the team's nine service aces.

Flying Dutch Start Second Half With Win (10/09/09)
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The Flying Dutch opened the second half of the conference season by sweeping host Alma in three sets Friday, 25-16, 25-22, 25-20. Coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch stand 9-0 in league play and 19-2 overall.

Flying Dutch Win Three-of-Four in Illinois (10/3/09)
Tournament Website
The nationally ranked Flying Dutch won three of four matches at the Barker Invitational hosted by Illinois Wesleyan University this weekend. Coach On Friday, Becky Schmidt's Dutch opened the tournament by sweeping Capital, Ohio, 25-22, 25-21, 25-15, and then defeated host Illinois Wesleyan in four sets, 23-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-18. On Saturday the Flying Dutch had a pair of four-set matches, bowing to UW-Platteville 16-25, 25-18, 27-25, 25-13 but coming back to top Millikin 26-24, 21-25, 25-21, 25-12. Ranked seventh nationally among NCAA Division III teams, the Flying Dutch improved to 17-2 on the season.

Flying Dutch Win Two in Illinois (10/2/09)
Tournament Website
The nationally ranked Flying Dutch posted a pair of victories Friday at the Barker Invitational hosted by Illinois Wesleyan University. Coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch opened the two-day tournament by sweeping Capital, Ohio, 25-22, 25-21, 25-15, and then defeated host Illinois Wesleyan in four sets, 23-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-18. Ranked seventh nationally among NCAA Division III teams, the Flying Dutch improved to 16-1 on the season.

Flying Dutch Stay Perfect in the MIAA (9/30/09)
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The Flying Dutch stayed perfect in the MIAA by sweeping past Trine in three sets Wednesday night, 25-13, 25-17, 25-22. Ranked seventh in the newest NCAA Division III national poll, coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch improved to 7-0 in league play and to 14-1 overall.

Setter Andrea Helminiak led the Dutch with 15 digs and 24 assists while Sara DeWeerdt and Jacie Fiedler each had eight kills.

Flying Dutch Sweep Rival Calvin (9/26/09)
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In a showdown of nationally ranked teams, the Flying Dutch rolled to a three-set sweep of rival Calvin on Saturday before nearly 1,500 DeVos Fieldhouse fans, 25-22, 25-15, 25-18. Coach Becky Scmidt's Dutch gained sole possession of first place in the MIAA race (6-0) and improved to 13-1 overall.

Showdown of MIAA Unbeatens on Saturday
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The stage is set for Saturday's showdown of nationally ranked unbeaten MIAA teams after both Hope and Calvin won matches on Friday night. The Flying Dutch swept Kalamazoo in three sets while Calvin topped Alma in four sets. Both teams are 5-0 in MIAA matches. Saturday's match in the main arena of the DeVos Fieldhouse will begin at 1 p.m.

Hope is ranked 8th among NCAA Division III teams with a 12-1 record while Calvin is ranked 12th at 10-3. Hope is the defending MIAA champion whose only league loss a year ago was to Calvin at DeVos Fieldhouse.

The Flying Dutch were in command throughout their match with Kalamazoo. Jacie Fielder and Teresa Borst each had 11 kills while Kristen Johnson and Traci Baker collected 16 and 15 digs respectively. The Flying Dutch served eight aces with Andrea Helminiak and Traci Baker each had three.

Flying Dutch Stay Unbeaten in MIAA (9/22/09)
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The nationally ranked Flying Dutch remained undefeated in the MIAA race topping host Albion in four sets on Tuesday night, 25-17, 25-13, 22-25, 25-21.

Ranked eighth again this week in NCAA Division III by the American College Volleyball Coaches Association (ACVA), coach Beky Schmidt's Flying Dutch improved to 4-0 in league matches and to 11-1 overall.

The Flying Dutch were led on defense by Andrea Helminiak, this week's MIAA specialty player of the week, with 17 digs and 41 set assists. Kristen Johnson followed with 15 digs while Cassidy Bulthuis had 10. Kara VandeGuchte was credited with four blocks and five block assists while Jacie Fiedler, this week's MIAA player of the week, had 10 kills.

Flying Dutch Win Twice in Ohio (9/19/09)
Tournament Website
The Flying Dutch won three of four matches at the "Border Battle" in Springfield, Ohio this weekend. The lone loss was Hope's first of the season. In a showdown of nationally ranked teams, #5 Ohio Northern swept the #8 Flying Dutch in three straight sets, 25-15, 25-23, 30-28. Hope came back to defeat host Wittenberg, also nationally ranked at #12, in four sets, 25-19, 25-27, 25-23, 25-11. On Friday the Dutch defeated Mt. Union in five sets, 19-25, 20-25, 25-20, 25-20, 15-12 and then swept Mount St. Joseph in three straight, 25-12, 25-19, 25-17. Coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch have a 10-1 season record.

Flying Dutch Escape Upset (9/16/09)
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The nationally ranked Flying Dutch dodged the upset bid of visiting Saint Mary's Wednesday, edging the Belles in five sets. Coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch, ranked eighth nationally this week among NCAA Division III teams, improved to 7-0 overall and remained tied for first place in the MIAA standings with rival Calvin at 3-0.

The Flying Dutch breezed to victory in the first two sets, 25-9 and 25-19, but Saint Mary's rallied to win the next two, 25-20 and 25-21. The unbeaten record was preserved with a 15-10 Hope win in the fifth set.

Five Hope players recorded double-digit digs -- Kristen Johnson, 16, Cassidy Bulthuis 13, Traci Baker 13, Andrea Helminiak 12 and Sara DeWeerdt 11. Jacie Fiedler had 15 kills while DeWeerdt and Bulthuis each had 11. Helminiak was credited with 43 assists and served four aces.

Flying Dutch Remain Undefeated (9/12/09)
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The Flying Dutch remained undefeated on the season by sweeping host Olivet in three sets Saturday, 25-13, 25-15, 25-20. Coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch are 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the MIAA.

Flying Dutch Win League Opener (9/8/09)
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The undefeated, nationally ranked Flying Dutch opened defense of their MIAA title by topping visiting Alma in four sets on Tuesday night, 25-12, 18-25, 25-14, 25-10, before a capacity DeVos Fieldhouse crowd.

Coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch, ranked 11th in the new AVCA Division III national poll, ran their record to 5-0.

Cassidy Bulthuis and Traci Baker led the Dutch at the net with 14 and 12 kills respectively while Kristen Johnson and Sara DeWeerdt topped the defense with 19 and 15 digs. The Flying Dutch served nine aces led by Sara DeWeerdt with three. Setter Andrea Helminiak had 39 assists.

Flying Dutch Win Season-Opening Tourney (9/5/09)
Tournament Website
The Flying Dutch opened their season by winning the WU-Bears Classic in St. Louis. The team's four victories included a huge four-set victory over host and nationally ranked Washington University, 25-23, 25-20, 18-25, 25-23. Washington is ranked fifth in NCAA Division III while Hope is ranked 22nd. Other victories were over Augustana, Ill. 25-15, 25-15, 25-20; Webster, Mo. 25-17, 25-13, 25-15; and Millikin, Ill. 26-24, 22-25, 25-13, 25-16. Senior Andrea Helminiak (Maumee, Ohio) and sophomore Jacie Fielder (Richmond, Ill.) were named to the all-tournament team.

Coach Becky Schmidt returns a core of veterans who will be seeking to maintain the momentum of a string of successful seasons.

In five seasons under coach Schmidt, the Flying Dutch have averaged 24 victories a year. The 2008 Flying Dutch posted a 26-7 record, won 15-of-16 conference matches and were ranked 20th in NCAA Division III by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

The 2009 team will be built around eight returning letterwinners, including five starters from a year ago. The pre-season roster includes 21 freshman prospects, seven sophomores, eight juniors and three seniors.

Co-captains of the team will be seniors Teresa Borst of Zeeland (Zeeland East HS) and Andrea Helminiak of Maumee, Ohio (Anthony Wayne HS).

Three returning players received All-MIAA honors in 2008. Junior middle hitter Kara VandeGuchte of Hamilton (Hamilton HS) is a two-time All-MIAA player receiving second team honors as a freshman and first team recognition last fall. Helminiak, the Flying Dutch setter, was All-MIAA first team last fall while junior outside hitter Cassidy Bulthuis of Nunica (Spring Lake HS) received All-MIAA second team recognition. VandeGuchte and Helminiak each received all-region honors from the AVCA.

VandeGuchte is also an outstanding heptathlete on Hope's track and field team. She competed at the NCAA Division III championships last spring.

Other returning letterwinners include junior Traci Baker of Grandville (Tri-Unity Christian HS), junior Sara DeWeerdt of Holland (Hamilton HS), senior Kristen Johnson of Naperville, Ill. (Wheaton Academy), and junior Carrie Lehocky of Byron Center (Byron Center HS).

The 2008 Flying Dutch ranked among the nation's Division III in several team and individual categories - third in kills per set (13.44 per set), sixth in assists per set (12.12), and Andrea Helminiak, 14th among setters averaging 10.47 assists per set.

Hope Volleyball Among DIII Attendance Leaders (5/12/09)
Hope College continues to be among the nation's NCAA Division III volleyball leaders in home attendance. The NCAA reports that the 2008 MIAA champion Flying Dutch had the second highest average home attendance in Division III for the third consecutive year.

The Flying Dutch have played at the DeVos Fieldhouse for three seasons and have a dedicated space for volleyball, providing players and fans an exciting environment.

This past season the Flying Dutch averaged 552 fans across 11 home dates. The DIII leader for the second consecutive year was East Texas Baptist with an average of 566 fans across five home dates.

The Flying Dutch posted a 9-2 record on their home court and in three seasons are 29-4 at DeVos Fieldhouse.

A highlight of the 2008 season was the home Calvin vs. Hope match which was moved to the main arena at DeVos and attracked a Division III regular season record crowd of 2,307 fans.

The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) ranked fourth among Division III conferences in 2008 with an average of 179 fans across 86 home dates by the nine member colleges.

Hope Volleyball Among DIII Stat Leaders (12/12/08)
The Flying Dutch volleyball team was among the NCAA Division III statistical leaders in 2008. Coach Becky Schmidt's MIAA champion Flying Dutch posted a 26-7 overall record and competed in the NCAA championships.

The team ranked third in kills-per-set with an average of 13.44. The national leader was Ohio Northern at 13.89.

The Flying Dutch finished sixth in assists-per-set with an average of 12.12. Ohio Northern was again the national leader at 12.93. Individually, Hope junior setter Andrea Helminiak of Maumee, Ohio (Anthony Wayne HS) ranked 14th in assists-per-set with an average of 10.47. The assists leader was Emily Foster of St. Thomas, Minn. at 11.39.

In other categories, Hope ranked 30th in both hitting percentage (.240) and won/loss percentage (.813 / 26-7).

Two Volleyball Players Named All-Region (11/17/08)
Two members of Hope's MIAA champion volleyball team have been named to the Great Lakes Division III all-region team by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

Senior outside hitter Nora Slenk of Holland, Mich. (Holland Christian HS) and sophomore middle hitter Kara VandeGuchte of Hamilton, Mich. (Hamilton HS) are among the 14 players being honored from NCAA Division III teams in Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky.

In addition, junior setter Andrea Helminiak of Maumee, Ohio (Anthony Wayne HS) received honorable mention recognition.

All three Hope honorees received All-MIAA first team honors as coach Becky Schmidt's Flying Dutch posted a 26-7 season record, captured the MIAA championship for the fourth time this decade and competed in the NCAA tournament.

Slenk and VandeGuchte become eligible for AVCA All-American consideration.

Flying Dutch Bow in NCAA Opener (11/13/08)
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The Flying Dutch made a quick albeit exciting exit from the NCAA championships Thursday night bowing in the opening round of the eight-team regional tournament to Heidelberg, Ohio in five games, 25-22, 20-25, 27-29, 25-19, 15-7.

It marked the second time this season that Heidelberg defeated the Flying Dutch in a five-set match.

After splitting the first two sets, Hope led 24-21 in set three before Heidelberg went on a three-point scoring run to knot the score at 24-24. After trailing 26-25, the Flying Dutch scored four out of the next five points to take set three in extended points. After the score was tied 10-10 in set four, Heidelberg outscored Hope, 30-16 to end the match. The Bergs' scoring run included leads of 10-3 and 12-5 in the deciding fifth stanza.

Kara VandeGuchte had a match-high 16 kills on a .500 hitting percentage to lead the Flying Dutch. Nora Slenk added 15 kills and Teresa Borst had 11. Meghan Winer patrolled the back court with 28 digs and Kristen Johnson added 18 and Traci Baker 11. Andrea Helminiak contributed 50 assists and 17 digs.

Earlier in the day MIAA rival Calvin also lost in a first round match to UW-Whitewater, 25-18, 22-25, 25-18, 25-14.

Coach Becky Schmidt's Flying Dutch, appearing in the post-season tournament for the sixth time in school history, end the season with a 26-7 record.

Flying Dutch are MIAA Champions (11/1/08)
The Flying Dutch clinched an outright MIAA championship this weekend while winning three of four matches at the Midwest Challenge. Two of the victories were three-game sweeps of conference opponents Alma and Kalamazoo. The wins left Hope with a final 15-1 regular season conference record. The Flying Dutch have a a 25-6 regular season record, marking the third time in five seasons under Schmidt that the Flying Dutch have won 25 or more matches.