Flying Dutch Team Headed to Europe (8/5/08)
Members of the Hope College women's basketball program will embark on a trip that will take them to Europe for a two-week-long trip that will include six games.

This will be the third European trip for the Flying Dutch this decade. The first two trips (2000 and 2004) were to Germany. This trip from August 6-20 will be to Germany and the Netherlands.

Over the years the college has encouraged its Hope athletic teams to have an international experience. Other teams that have traveled internationally include baseball, men's basketball, football, men's golf, women's and men's soccer, softball and volleyball.

"These are wonderful opportunities for our players and staff," said coach Brian Morehouse. "These experiences have gone well beyond the athletic competition."

The team will have a variety of living experiences, including homestays and youth hostels. There will be an opportunity to do a service project along with plenty of sightseeing. The team is scheduled to play up to six games against teams in Germany and the Netherlands.

Hope's international roster will be comprised of players from the 2007-08 program. By NCAA rule, players new to the team in 2008-09 may not participate.

Last season the Flying Dutch captured the championship of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) posting an overall 30-1 record and advancing to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III national tournament.

The players taking the trip will be Erika Bruinsma of Grand Rapids, Mich. (GR Christian HS), Jenny Cowen of Dexter, Mich. (Dexter HS), Miranda DeKuiper of Ludington, Mich. (Ludington HS), Danielle Fegan of Sault Ste. Marie (Sault Area HS), Lauren Geers of Scottville, Mich. (Mason County HS), Philana Greene of Grandville, Mich. (Grandville HS), Julie Henderson of Grand Haven, Mich. (Grand Haven HS), Courtney Knox of Mattawan, Mich. (Mattawan HS), Kaitlyn Kopke of Haslett, Mich. (Haslett HS), Rachael Kutney of St. Clair Shores, Mich. (Lakeshore HS), Lindsay Lange of Manistee, Mich. (Manistee HS), Megan Mejeur of St. Joseph, Mich. (St. Joseph HS), Abby Phillips of Wayland, Mich. (Wayland HS), Carrie Snikkers of Hudsonville, Mich. (Unity Christian HS), and Stacy Warsen of Cutlerville, Mich. (South Christian HS).

Henderson, Lange and Warsen were seniors on the 07-08 team while Phillips was a member of the jayvee team. The rest of the players were on 07-08 varsity team and have eligibility for future seasons.

The team will be accompanied by head coach Brian Morehouse and assistant coaches Colleen Martin and Morgan Hughes.

The Flying Dutch captured the championship of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), put together a 30-game winning streak as the top-ranked team in Division III and advanced to the Elite Eight of the national tournament before bowing to the eventual NCAA champion.

Coach Brian Morehouse's Flying Dutch were the top-ranked team among 400 NCAA Division III colleges most of the season. The team went undefeated until their final game (30-1) losing to Howard Payne, Tex., 53-49.

Senior Jordyn Boles of Grand Rapids, Mich. was honored as first team All-American. She was also a three-time All-MIAA honoree who over her career started in a school-record 120 consecutive games, compiling an amazing 110-10 record. Joining Boles on the MIAA all-conference basketball teams were sophomore Philana Greene of Grandville, Mich. and senior Lindsay Lange of Manistee, Mich.

Hope's DeVos Fieldhouse was also the site for the NCAA Division III women's basketball final four championships. A late winter storm that dumped a foot of snow on Holland did not deter fans from attending the spectacle. In fact, the women's Division III championships had a larger attendance than at the men's. Hope will also the women's championships again in 2009.