From left, Hope Colleges Charlotte Brecht and Lauren Lee.
After advancing to the national quarterfinals last season, the Hope College volleyball team topped the 2023 MIAA Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll.
The Flying Dutch took first in the nine-team poll with 11 points and a league-best five first-place votes. Coaches could not vote for their own teams.
Hope finished one point ahead of second-place Calvin University. The Knights received four first-place votes.
Albion College placed third in the poll with 22 points and was followed by Adrian College (32), Trine University (35), Kalamazoo College (47), Saint Mary’s College (50), Alma College (54) and Olivet College (61).
Led by head coach Becky Schmidt, the Flying Dutch return several key student-athletes from last season, including two All-Americans: sophomore setter Lauren Lee and junior outside hitter Annie Lockett.
Lee (Plymouth, Michigan / Ann Arbor Skyline HS) ranked third in NCAA Division III with 11.06 assists per set and first in the MIAA with 11.22 assists per set in league play. The biology major was named American Volleyball Coaches Association Region 7 Player of the Year, MIAA Newcomer of the Year and to the All-MIAA First Team.
Lockett (Mason, Ohio / William Mason) received AVCA All-America Honorable Mention and All-Region distinctions as well as All-MIAA First Team honors.
Hope also returns All-MIAA Second Team middle hitter Alison DeWeerd, a junior from Kentwood, Michigan (Grand Rapids South Christian).
Comments