Victory honors national champion Hope College women’s basketball team

Victory honors national champion Hope College women’s basketball team

LANSING, Mich. Sen. Roger Victory on Tuesday recognized the Hope College Women’s Basketball Team and head coach Brian Morehouse at the Michigan Capitol for winning the 2022 NCAA Division III National Championship.

“Known for their team unity and for bringing positivity to all levels of competition, the Hope College Women’s Basketball Team has won 77 out of 78 games over the past three seasons. These victories culminated with the final win against Wisconsin-Whitewater for the national championship,” said Victory, R-Hudsonville. “What distinguishes the best is the dedication and effort that appears in practice — far removed from the excitement of game day. Through their hard work and commitment, this team and the coaching staff have embodied the qualities that enable success — not only on the court but also in life.

“This group of disciplined student-athletes has generated great pride throughout the state of Michigan and, especially, Ottawa County.”

Hope College beat Wisconsin-Whitewater 71-58 in the championship game in Pittsburg on March 19 to earn the third national title in program history and the second under Morehouse.

The Flying Dutch were 32-1 overall this season. In 2020, the team was undefeated and had advanced to the Sweet 16 when the 2020 season was abruptly canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hope was undefeated again last year, but the NCAA did not hold a Division III national tournament in 2021 because of the pandemic.

Rep. Bradley Slagh, R-Zeeland, and Victory presented Morehouse and the team with a special tribute signed by Victory, Slagh and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The team includes seniors Kasey DeSmit, Kate Majerus, Sydney Muller, Kenedy Schoonveld, Hannah Smith and Olivia Voskuil; juniors Claire Baguley, Savannah Feenstra, Ella McKinney and Meg Morehouse; and freshmen Olivia Bellows, Jada Garner, Hannah Kurncz, Courtney Lee and Abi Tarrant.

Assistant coaches for the team are Courtney Kust, Colly Carlson, Austin Randel, Kyle Lurvey and Dean Morehouse.

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Editor’s note: Video of Victory welcoming the team to the Capitol during session will be available at https://www.SenatorRogerVictory.com/video/.

The above photograph is available by clicking on the image or by visiting https://www.SenatorRogerVictory.com/photos/.

Photo caption: Sen. Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville, recognizes the Hope College women’s basketball team and head coach Brian Morehouse at the Michigan Capitol for winning the 2022 NCAA Division III National Championship. The Flying Dutch were 32-1 overall this season and beat Wisconsin-Whitewater 71-58 in the championship game in Pittsburg on March 19 to earn the third national title in program history and the second under Morehouse.

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