A record-setting volleyball season was instrumental in allowing Hope College to lead all NCAA Division III volleyball programs in home attendance this past fall.
The Flying Dutch averaged 992 fans over 15 home dates to easily top the 400 Division III volleyball programs. Runerup Heidelberg, Ohio averaged 663 fans a match.
Hope's average home attendance was the largest in Division III since statistics were first compiled by the NCAA in 1997.
It is the first time that Hope has led the nation in home volleyball attendance. The Flying Dutch have played at the DeVos Fieldhouse for four seasons and have a dedicated space for volleyball, providing players and fans an exciting environment. Three matches moved to the main court of the arena averaged more than 2,000 fans in attendance.
Attendance in 2009 was bolstered by a championship conference season and the first-time opportunity to host an NCAA Regional tournament. The Flying Dutch went on to advance to the semi-finals of the final four of the NCAA championships.
Hope posted a 14-1 record on their home court and in four seasons are 43-5 at DeVos Fieldhouse.
The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) topped all Division III conferences in home attendance averaging 298 fans across 94 home dates by the nine member colleges. Rival Calvin ranked fourth in home attendance averaging 399 fans across 11 home dates, including 2,725 in a Hope victory at Calvin's Van Noord Arena on October 28th.
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