Local Sports Journal

Hope College captured its first-ever Division III national championship in women’s volleyball on Monday with a five-set victory over Emory College.

Leading the way for Hope was Fruitport graduate Lauren Hazekamp. The junior setter  had 58 assists, 12 digs and five kills for Hope.

The championship match was played at the Freeman Center in  Newport News, Va.

The Flying Dutchmen dropped the opening game 25-21, but won the next two 25-21, 25-22. After dropping the fourth game 26-24, Hope won the fifth, and deciding, game 15-8.

In the deciding Game 5, the Flying Dutchmen jumped out to a 7-0 lead with Hazekamp’s assists being key in that run.

Leading Hope in kills was Jenna Grasmey with 22 and Amy VanderStoep with 18. Courtney Van Houzen had seven blocks and Allie Mitchel had 19 digs.