GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Students at Hope College's DeVos Fieldhouse are nothing but excited for their women's volleyball team.
"It's pretty exciting having a team on campus competing for a national championship," said student Andrew Pickett.
The Flying Dutch's 10:30 p.m. start time during the semi-final against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Thursday had students across campus staying up late to see their team clinch a spot in the national championship.
"I think everyone is so enthusiastic about it and the comradery is just so big with Hope Athletics," said student Brenna Bustard.
"I just stay fired up," said another student Emily Dieffenbach. "Every professor that I had in class today, they said they were tired, chaplains were tired, but it didn't matter, we were still just so fired up today still excited."
Pickett, who plays on the baseball team, said all of Hope's Athletics are rooting for the Flying Dutch.
"It was a little bit nerve racking," said Pickett. "I mean they went up 2-0, they've done it a few times recently, then the Claremont team came back, tied it up, and that final set was a little bit stressful but they pulled it out."
As the team prepares for their shot to hang another banner in the DeVos Fieldhouse, head coach Becky Schmidt said they're feeling the love all the way in California.
"I'm hearing from so many people, and it's so wonderful to know that we've got so many people that are in our corner, thanking, you know, for all the texts and messages that were that we're getting," said Schmidt.
"It's great to know that we've got such a strong community that loves volleyball, but more importantly, just loves Hope College and love as our student athletes."
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