HOLLAND, Mich. - The Alma College women's volleyball team opened their season with a match-up against Hope College. The Scots lost, dropping all three sets by scores of 25-14, 25-21, 25-22. Alma fought hard but begins their season 0-1 and Hope College starts their season off with a record of 1-0.

In the second set, Alma refused to be left behind, doing everything they could to keep the score within three points. Any momentum that the Flying Dutch gained, Alma came right back to gain points. McKenzie Smith put the Scot within one point of the Flying Dutch with a hard and deep push that forced Hope to hit the ball out of bounds, bringing Alma 10 to Hope's 11. Even though they fought hard, they weren't able to tie or overtake Hope.

The third set was a nail-bitter, Alma put up the first point and Hope returned. The lead changed three times and Alma took the advantge at 7-5. Hope fought hard and came back bringing the score up to 8-8. It was back and forth, till Alma led again, 16-13. Rachael Parrett's dominance on the court helped the Scots to gain momentum in key moments. Smith helped to keep that lead by putting up another point followed closely by her teammate Sara Majerle with a huge kill, giving the Scots their biggest lead of the night. Hope brought it back later, with the two teams being tied 22-22. The Flying Dutch would score on the next three points to take the win. 

Parett led the Scots in kills tonight with 11. She opened the third set with a big kill for the Scots and getting the first point of the set for Alma.

Majerle had an impressive opening night with seven kills, seven digs and one assist.

Bailey Cantrell led the Scots in digs with 16 total as well as earning three assists.

Haley Novak led the team in assists with 11. Megan Greenup followed her closely with eight.

The Scots will be seen again in our very own Art Smith Arena, to face Olivet College. The match-up begins at 6:30pm on Wednesday March 24th.

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