Freshman Victoria Swift and the nationally ranked Hope College women's basketball team both enjoyed successful debuts on the road Saturday.
Swift, a guard from LaGrange, Illinois (Lyons Township HS) scored a team-high 17 points for the Flying Dutch in their 70-61 win at Defiance (Ohio).
It was the 17th consecutive season-opening win for Hope, a streak that dates back to 2000.
Senior forward Maura McAfee of Midland, Michigan (Midland HS) recorded a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds. The preseason All-American collected 15 doubles last season as a junior.
McAfee also moved with 27 points of Hope's 1,000-point club.
The Flying Dutch never trailed after jumping to a 9-2 lead four minutes into the first quarter.
Junior forward Mandy Traversa of Winfield, Illinois (Wheaton North HS) chipped in eight points in her first career start.
Hope was ranked 12th in the preseason Women's Basketball Coaches Association preseason poll and 11th in the D3Hoops.comb preseason rankings.
The Flying Dutch return to action on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20 21 when they host their Tipoff Tournament at DeVos Fieldhouse. Hope plays Monmouth, Illinois on Friday and either Bethany, W.V., or Ohio Wesleyan on Saturday.
