2011 Season Summary

Overall Record: 25-7
MIAA Record: 14-2 (Second Place)
NCAA Tournament: Advanced to second round

2011 Statistics

Season Results

Friday & Saturday, Sept. 2-3, at Mt. Union Tournament
Friday: Hope def. Mt. St. Joseph 18-25, 25-11, 25-15, 25-21 Box
Friday: Hope def. Case Western Reserve 26-24, 25-20, 25-22 Box
Saturday: Hope def. Geneva, Pa. 17-25, 25-23, 16-25, 25-14, 15-8 Box
Saturday: Hope def. Mt. Union 30-28, 25-16, 25-20 Box
Tuesday, Sept. 6, Hope def. Alma 22-25, 25-15, 25-20. 22-25, 15-10 Box
Friday, Sept. 9, *Hope def. Trine 25-18, 25-13, 25-13 Box
Wednesday, Sept. 14, *Hope def. Adrian 25-21, 25-17, 25-15 Box
Friday & Saturday, Sept. 16-17, Great Lakes Regional Challenge at Wittenberg
Friday: Wittenberg def. Hope 25-17, 25-18, 25-22 Box
Friday: Hope def. Ohio Northern 25-13, 25-19, 19-25, 25-19 Box
Saturday: Hope def. Bluffton 25-18, 25-12, 20-25, 25-16 Box
Saturday: Heidelberg def. Hope 26-24, 30-28, 25-14 Box
Tuesday, Sept. 20, *Hope def. Albion 25-13, 25-14, 25-21 Box
Friday, Sept. 23, *Hope def. Saint Mary's 25-14, 25-13, 25-11 Box
Saturday, Sept. 24, *Hope def. Kalamazoo 25-8, 25-13, 25-13 Box
Wednesday, Sept. 28, *Calvin def. Hope 26-24, 25-20, 25-16 Box
Tuesday, Oct. 4, *Hope def. Olivet 25-11, 25-19, 25-18 Box
Friday, Oct. 7, *Hope def. Alma 25-20, 25-16, 25-15 Box
Saturday, Oct. 8, *Hope def. Trine 25-22, 25-15, 25-20 Box
Friday & Saturday, Oct. 14-15, MIDWEST INVITATIONAL
Friday: Hope def.Illinois Wesleyan 25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-16 Box
Friday: Hope def. Rose-Hulman 25-11, 25-12, 25-23 Box
Saturday: Hope def. St. Benedict 25-19, 29-31, 25-20, 25-17 Box
Saturday: Carthage def. Hope 25-13, 25-23, 25-20 Box
Tuesday, Oct. 18, *Hope def. Adrian 25-19, 25-13, 25-15 Box
Friday, Oct. 21, *Hope def. Albion 25-11, 25-9, 25-15 Box
Saturday, Oct. 22, *Hope def. Saint Mary's 25-7, 25-13, 25-10 Box
Wednesday, Oct. 26, *Hope def. Kalamazoo 25-19, 26-24, 25-13 Box
Friday, Oct. 28, *Calvin d. Hope 22-25, 25-16, 25-20, 26-24 Box
Saturday, Oct. 29, *Hope def. Olivet 25-15, 26-24, 25-14 Box
Friday-Saturday, Nov. 4-5, MIAA Tournament at Calvin College
Friday Semis: Hope def. Alma 25-13, 23-25, 25-16, 25-14 Box
Saturday Finals: Calvin def. Hope 25-18, 25-20, 25-20 Box
Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 10-12, NCAA Regional Tournament hosted by Calvin
Thursday Quarterfinal: Hope def. Otterbein 25-21, 25-22, 25-16 Box
Friday Semi-Final: Calvin def. Hope 30-28, 25-15, 25-20 Box

Flying Dutch Eliminated from NCAA Tournament (11/11/11)
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The Flying Dutch pushed their top-ranked rival, but were unable to get past the defending national champion Calvin Knights in a regional semi-final match on Friday. The undefeated host Knights prevailed in three sets, 30-28, 25-15, 25-20. Hope's season ends with a 25-7 record with all of the losses coming to nationally ranked teams, including four to Calvin. Hope had opened the tournament on Thursday with a three-set sweep of Otterbein, Ohio, 25-22, 25-20, 25-15.

Flying Dutch Advance in NCAA Tournament (11/10/11)
Box / See Photos
For the seventh time in nine appearances, the Flying Dutch have advanced past the first round of NCAA tournament play. Coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch scored a three-set sweep (25-21, 25-22, 25-16) over Otterbein, Ohio on Thursday in the regional quarterfinals hosted by Calvin College.

The fifth-seeded Flying Dutch (25-6) will now take on top-seeded host Calvin (32-0) in Friday's semi-final match at 7 p.m. It will be preceded by a 4:30 p.m. semi final between Wittenberg (32-3) and Heidelberg (32-6). Friday's winners advance to the regional championship at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Friday's match will be the fourth meeting of the season between Hope and Calvin. The defending national champion Knights defeated the Flying Dutch twice during the regular season and in last weekend's MIAA tournament championship match.

A strong presence at the net was key for the Flying Dutch on Friday who were credited with 9.5 team blocks, including three solos by Mari Schoolmaster. Hope players served eight aces led by Jenna Grasmeyer and Lindy Melville with three each. Grasmeyer had 13 kills while Jessica Maier recorded 15 digs.

Flying Dutch Bow to Rival Calvin in MIAA Final (11/5/11)
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Top-ranked Calvin defeated the Flying Dutch a third time this season scoring a three-set sweep in the championship match of Saturday's conference tournament, 25-18, 25-20, 25-20. It is now a waiting game for coach Becky Schmidt's nationally ranked Dutch to see if they'll receive an at-large bid to compete in the NCAA Division III tournament beginning next week. The Flying Dutch have a 24-6 season record and all six losses have been to nationally ranked opponents.

Flying Dutch Advance to MIAA Tournament Finals (11/4/11)
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The Flying Dutch have advanced to the championship match of the MIAA tournament for the sixth consecutive year after posting a four-set victory over Alma in Friday's semis, 25-13, 23-25, 25-16, 25-14. Coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch, ranked 14th nationally in NCAA Division III, improved to 24-5. Saturday's final at Calvin will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the winner gaining an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament.

Flying Dutch End League Play With Victory (10/29/11)
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The Flying Dutch wrapped up league play with a three-set victory over host Olivet on Saturday night, 25-15, 26-24, 25-14. Coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch finish second in the MIAA standings and will be seeded second in the conference tournament next weekend at Calvin. The tournament will determine who represents the MIAA in the NCAA tournament. Hope posted a 14-2 MIAA record and is 23-5 overall.

Rival Calvin Nips Flying Dutch in Title Showdown (10-28-11)
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The Flying Dutch gave top-ranked rival Calvin a serious challenge to their unbeaten record in an MIAA title showdown before a filled DeVos Fieldhouse on Friday night. Coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch won the opening set, 25-22, but Calvin came back to win the next three, 25-16, 25-20, 26-24. All of Calvin's previous league victories had been three-set sweeps.

Calvin (28-0) clinched an outright MIAA championship and will host the conference tournament next weekend. The Flying Dutch (22-5) will be seeded second in the NCAA qualifying tournament which could set the stage for a third meeting of the nationally ranked rivals. Hope is 13-2 in the MIAA heading into a regular season ending match tonight (6 p.m.) at Olivet.

The crowd of 2,163 was treated to a school-record performance by freshman Jenna Grasmeyer who set a school mark for kills in a four-set match. She accumulated 23 kills in 57 attempts surpassing the previous mark of 19 by All-American Jaci Fiedler in 2009. Four players had double-digit digs -- Grasmeyer and Lindy Melville 16 each and Jessica Maier and Greer Bratschie 14 apiece. Grasmeyer served three of Hope's six aces.

Stage Set for Championship Showdown with Rival Calvin (10/26/11)
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The stage is set for a showdown of MIAA championship contenders after both Hope and Calvin posted three-set victories on Wednesday night. Calvin comes to Hope Friday night as the top-ranked team in NCAA Division III. Hope is just one game behind the leading Knights in the MIAA standings. The match on the main court at DeVos Fieldhouse is expected to draw a capacity crowd.

The Flying Dutch swept Kalamazoo in a hard-fought three set match on Wednesday, 25-19, 26-24, 25-13. Coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch are 12-1 in the MIAA, just a game behind 13-0 Calvin. Ranked 14th this week in the Division III national poll, the Dutch are 22-4 overall. All four losses have been to nationally ranked teams, including a three-set setback at Calvin a month ago.

Junior Jessica Maier led the Dutch victory over Kalamazoo with a double-digit performance of 10 kills and 20 digs. She also served four aces. Freshman Jenna Grasmeyer added 14 kills and sophomore Katie Ansel had 10 digs.

Flying Dutch Set School Record in Conference Victory (10/22/11)
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The nationally ranked Flying Dutch were deadly at the net in recording a three-set victory over host Saint Mary's on Saturday, 25-7, 25-13, 25-10. Coach Becky Schmidt's Flying Dutch kept pace with MIAA leader Calvin by improving to 12-1 in league matches and 21-4 overall.

The Flying Dutch established a school three-set record for their attack percentage against the Belles recording 42 kills on 71 attempts while making just two errors for a .563 attack percentage. Freshman Jenna Grasmeyer recorded 13 kills on 18 attempts with no errors.

The Flying Dutch set an early tone when in the first set Lindy Melville served 12 consecutive points to turn a 10-6 lead into a 22-6 advantage.

Flying Dutch Achieve 20-Win Season With Sweep (10/21/11)
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The Flying Dutch achieved a 20-win season for a school-record seventh consecutive year by sweeping visiting Albion in three sets on Friday night, 25-11, 25-9, 25-15. Coach Becky Schmidt's nationally ranked Dutch improved a 20-4 on the season and remain one game behind MIAA frontrunner Calvin with an 11-1 record. The Flying Dutch are back in action Saturday with a conference match at Saint Mary's. Freshman Jenna Grasmeyer led the Flying Dutch at the net with 13 kills while senior Lindy Melville was the leader on defense with 10 digs. The Flying Dutch served 10 aces led by Grasmeyer with five. Junior setter Greer Bratschie was credited with 29 assists.

Flying Dutch Sweep Visiting Bulldogs (10/18/11)
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The nationally ranked Flying Dutch moved within a victory of their school-record seventh consecutive 20-win season by sweeping visiting Adrian in three sets Tuesday night, 25-19, 25-13, 25-15.

Coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch, ranked 15th this week among NCAA Division III teams, improved to 19-4 overall and with a 10-1 conference record remain a game behind MIAA frontrunner Calvin (11-0).

Freshman Jenna Grasmeyer led the Dutch at the net with 13 kills while junior Jessica Maier was the leader on defense with 16 digs. Junior setter Greer Bratschie was credited with 28 assists.

Flying Dutch Mark Milestone Win Under Coach Schmidt (10/15/11)
Midwest Invitational Results
Hope 3, St. Benedict 0 / Carthage 3, Hope 0
Hope 3, Rose-Hulman 0 / Hope 3, Illinois Wesleyan 1
The Flying Dutch won three-of-four matches in hosting the Midwest Invitational on Friday and Saturday. The third victory of the weekend was a milestone 200th at Hope for coach Becky Schmidt. Her eight-year Hope coaching record is 200-60, a winning percentage of 77%. The nationally ranked Flying Dutch have an 18-4 season record.

Flying Dutch Continue Three-Set Sweeps (10/8/11)
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The Flying Dutch recorded their third three-set sweep in five days by topping Trine 25-22, 25-15, 25-20 on Saturday before more than 500 fans at DeVos Fieldhouse. Coach Becky Schmidt's nationally ranked Flying Dutch (#14) improved to 9-1 in the MIAA and 14-3 overall. Hope has won 10 three-set matches so far this season.

Flying Dutch Sweep Alma Scots (10/7/11)
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The Flying Dutch began the second half of the conference schedule with a convincing three-set victory over host Alma on Friday night, 25-20, 25-16, 25-15. A month ago the nationally ranked Flying Dutch needed five sets to top the Scots. Coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch are 8-1 in MIAA matches heading into a Saturday home contest with the Trine Thunder. The Flying Dutch are 14-3 overall.

Four Hope players finished with double-digit digs led by Lindy Melville with 13. Collecting 11 digs apiece were Jessica Maier, Jenna Grasmeyer and Greer Bratschie. Maier was tops in kills with 11 while Jenna Grasmeyer had 10. Mari Schoolmaster and Lindy Melville each served three aces.

Flying Dutch Get Back on Winning Side of Ledger (10/4/11)
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Behind a season-high 17 service aces, the nationally ranked (#14) Flying Dutch got back on the winning side of the ledger Tuesday sweeping visiting Olivet in three sets, 25-11, 25-19, 25-18. Coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch improved to 7-1 in the MIAA and 13-3 overall.

Five players served an ace led by Lindy Melville with four and Katie Ansel three. Jenna Grasmeyer led the defense with 10 digsw while setter Greer Bratschie had 32 assists.

Rival Calvin Hands Dutch First League Loss (9/29/11)
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In a showdown of nationally ranked teams, rival Calvin handed the Flying Dutch their first conference defeat of the season in three sets on Wednesday, 26-24, 25-20, 25-16. The defending national champion Knights came into the match the top-ranked team in NCAA Division III while Hope is ranked 13th. The match was played before more than 2,200 fans. The loss puts coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch at 5-1 in the MIAA and 12-3 overall.

Flying Dutch Sweep Weekend Opponents (9/24/11)
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The Flying Dutch completed a weekend sweep of conference opponents by topping host Kalamazoo in three sets on Saturday night, 25-8, 25-13, 25-13. On Friday coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch swept Saint Mary's. Hope improved to 6-0 in the MIAA heading into a showdown of nationally ranked rivals on Wednesday at Calvin. Hope is 12-2 overall.

Flying Dutch Sweep Belles to Stay Unbeaten in MIAA (9/23/11)
Box Score
The Flying Dutch remained unbeaten in MIAA play by quickly dispatching visiting Saint Mary's in three sets, 25-14, 25-13, 25-11. Coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch improved to 5-0 in the MIAA and to 11-2 overall. The Flying Dutch return to action Saturday night (7 p.m.) at Kalamazoo.

The Flying Dutch served eight aces to the pleasure of the more than 900 fans who enjoyed watching nationally rank Hope play on the main court of the DeVos Fieldhouse.

With playing time spread across the team, the Dutch were led at the net by Mari Schoolmaster and Jenna Grasmeyer who each had nine kills. Jessica Maier supported the defense with 15 digs while Lindy Melville had 10. Schoolmaster served three aces. Setter Greer Bratschie finished with 25 assists.

Flying Dutch Remain Unbeaten in MIAA (9/20/11)
Box Score
The Flying Dutch maintained unbeaten in conference sweep behind a three-set sweep of host Albion on Tuesday night, 25-13, 25-15, 25-21. Coach Becky Schmidt nationally ranked Dutch (#13 this week) are 4-0 in conference matches and 10-2 overall.

Jenna Grasmeyer led the offense with 13 kills while Jessica Maier and Mari Schoolmaster each had 10. Lindy Melville was credited with 10 digs and served three aces. Schoolmaster served four aces while Greer Bratschie finished with 33 assists.

Flying Dutch Split Weekend Matches (9/17/11)
Tournament Website
The Flying Dutch split their four matches at the Great Lakes Challenge hosted by Wittenberg this weekend. On Friday coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch lost to host Wittenberg three sets, 25-17, 25-18, 25-22, but bounced back to top Ohio Northern in four sets, 25-13, 25-19, 19-25, 25-19. On Saturday the Flying Dutch opened with a four-set win over Bluffton, 25-18, 25-12, 20-25, 25-16, but bowed in three sets to Heidelberg, 26-24, 30-28, 25-14. Junior Greer Bratschie and sophomore Mari Schoolmaster were named to the all-tournament team. Hope has a 9-2 season record.

Flying Dutch Extend Win Streak With League Victory (9/14/11)
The nationally ranked Flying Dutch remained unbeaten with a three-set sweep of host Adrian on Wednesday night, 25-21, 25-17, 25-15. Coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch stand 3-0 in MIAA play and are 7-0 overall heading into the Great Lakes Region Challenge featuring several ranked teams at Wittenberg University on Friday and Saturday. Sophomore Mari Schoolmaster led the offense with 10 kills while freshman Jenna Grasmeyer topped the defense with 10 digs. Setter Greer Bratschie had 19 assists.

Flying Dutch Remain Undefeated (9/9/11)
Box Score
The undefeated nationally ranked Flying Dutch wasted little time in dispatching host Trine on Friday night. In a match that lasted just 74 minutes, coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch won in three sets, 25-18, 25-13, 25-12. The Flying Dutch have a 6-0 season record and are 2-0 in the MIAA. The statistics were spread across Hope's 14-player roster. Lindy Melville was a standout on defense with 16 digs.

MIAA Honors Freshman as Player of the Week
Freshman outside hitter Jenna Grasmeyer of Jenison (Hudsonville Unity Christian HS) is the MIAA's first Player of the Week for the 2011 season. Last weekend had 61 kills for a hitting percentage of .345 as the Flying Dutch won all four of their matches at a season-openeing tournament hosted by Mount Union, Ohio. She had 19 kills in a sweep of Case Western Reserve, Ohio, and had 17 kills in a five-set victory over Geneva, Pa. For the tournament, she had 46 digs, six blocks and five service aces.

Flying Dutch Open League Play With Close Win (9/6/11)
Box Score
The nationally ranked Flying Dutch eeked out a five-set victory over upset-minded Alma before a capacity DeVos crowed on Tuesday night, 22-25, 25-15, 25-20. 22-25, 15-10. Ranked 12th in this week's NCAA Division III national poll, coach Becky Schmidt's Dutch improved to 5-0 on the season.

The opening set has proven to be a challenge for the Dutch who have lost it in three of five matches, including against Alma. The other two first-sets have gone to duce. On Tuesday Hope won the second and third sets, but Alma took a close fourth to force the fifth.

Four Hope players had double-digit kills led by Jessica Maier with 21, followed by Courtney Earles 16, Jenna Grasmeyer 15 and Mari Schoolmaster 11. Three players had over 20 digs, again led by Maier with 28, followed by Greer Bratschie 23 and Lindy Melville 21. Bratschie also had 63 assists from her setter spot.

Hope Wins Season-Opening Mt. Union Tournament (9/3/11)
The Flying Dutch opened their season by posting four victories at the Mt. Union Invitational in Alliance, Ohio. Coach Becky Scmidt's Dutch extended their two-year regular season winning streak to 23 in-a-row. Freshman Jenna Grasmeyer (Hudsonville/Unity Christian HS) was voted the tournament's most valuable player. She was joined on the all-tournament team by junior Greer Bratschie (Grand Rapids/East Grand Rapids HS).
Hope def. Mount St. Joseph 18-25, 25-11, 25-15, 25-21 box
The Flying Dutch opened the season with a come-from-behind four set victory over Mount St. Joseph, Ohio. Junior Jessica Maier led the Dutch with 15 kills, 16 digs and three blocks. Freshman Jenna Grasmeyer marked the start of her collegiate career with 12 kills and 19 digs while senior Lindy Melville collected 19 kills. Setter Greer Bratschie was credited with 35 assists.
Hope def. Case Western Reserve 26-24, 25-20, 25-22 box
The Flying Dutch finished the first day of the tournament undefeated behind a three set sweep of Case Western Reserve. Freshman Jenna Grasmeyer was credited with 19 kills while junior Jessica Maier had a double-double of 10 kills and 11 digs. Other leaders on defense were Grasmeyer and Greer Bratschie with 10 digs apiece. Setter Greer Bratschie had 32 assists.
Hope def. Geneva, Pa. 17-25, 25-23, 16-25, 25-14, 15-8
Individual statistics are not available.
Hope def. Mt. Union 30-28, 25-16, 25-20 box
The Flying Dutch quickly dispatched of the host team scoring their second three-set sweep of the young season. Freshman Jenna Grasmeyer was strong at the net with 15 kills while Jessica Maier and Lindy Melville led the defense with 16 and 14 digs respectively. Setter Greer Bratschie had 29 assists while Maier served four of Hope's eight aces.