-- Story provided by Hope College Athletics --
Pushed to the brink again, the second-ranked Hope College volleyball team remained unfazed as the pressure rose — from the moment and a worthy opponent..
The Flying Dutch withstood a comeback from No. 17 Transylvania University to win their NCAA Division III Championships regional final in five sets in front of a DeVos Fieldhouse crowd of 1,295.
Hope (30-2) is now California-bound the week after Thanksgiving for the NCAA Championships at Claremont Mudd Scripps near Los Angeles. It is the Flying Dutch's second consecutive trip to the national quarterfinals and the fifth overall. Hope is seeking its second NCAA title and first since 2014.
"We had talked a lot about when our backs are against the wall, how we just keep coming with heart, passion and perseverance," head coach Becky Schmidt said. "Just being able to look into the players' eyes in those timeouts, it was evident they were going to do everything they could to be able to find ways to win. There are some tactical things we need to continue to work on, but that perseverance, I'm just super proud."
Hope will play in the national quarterfinals on Wednesday, Nov. 29, against an opponent and at a time to be determined. The tournament is reseeded after regional play.
The Flying Dutch improved to 6-0 in five-set matches this season with the 25-19, 21-25, 25-20, 17-25, 15-10 victory. On Friday, Hope outlasted No. 23 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in five sets during the second round.
After Transylvania (27-7) rallied to force a fifth set, Hope responded by scoring the first four points in the fifth set. The Pioneers rallied to pull even at 8-8, but the Flying Dutch answered behind the serving of junior Samantha Seib (Elkhorn, Wisconsin / Catholic Central) and scored the next five points.
After a sideout, junior outside hitter and all-tournament selection Addie VanderWeide (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian) delivered the match-clinching point with a kill.
Setter Lauren Lee — named the regional's Most Outstanding Player — said the combination of feeling the support of exceptional home fans and embracing the moment propelled the Flying Dutch.
"We have really good fans; that's part of it. We always feel an energy shift," Lee said. "We're very comfortable with fifth sets because we know every point has to be celebrated most intensely. One of my club coaches told me the most intense teams win fifth sets. It's only 15 points. You can scream your heads off and celebrate every ball like it's the last one you'll play."
Lee (Plymouth, Michigan / Saline) directed Hope's attack and finished with 52 assists.
VanderWeide added a match-best 19 kills. Freshman middle blocker and all-tournament selection Kamryn Burbridge (Grand Haven, Michigan / Grand Haven) chipped in 15 kills and a team-best .353 hitting percentage.
Sophomore outside hitter Brooke Fox (Saunemin, Illinois / Pontiac Township) chipped in 11 kills.
Transylvania, the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference champions, received 18 kills from all-tournament selection Isabella Myers and Kayden Holcomb. All-tournament selection Cate Schepers had 15 kills.
"I want to congratulate Transylvania on an incredible season and tremendous fight and resilience throughout that match," Schmidt said. "This was a defensive battle and both teams finding ways to be able to rise and put the other team into some difficult spots. I was impressed by them, their team chemistry and fight."
