Hope College’s Amanda Bandrowski and Claire Hallock spearheaded the Flying Dutch’s repeat as Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association champions this spring.
The Flying Dutch standouts are being recognized for their performances as All-MIAA
First Team selections for the second time in their careers. Additionally, Bandrowski
has been chosen as the MIAA Most Valuable Player by the league’s coaches.
Hope also had two second-team honorees: Taylor LaBarge and Natalie Rahrig.
Bandrowski is the 11th different Flying Dutch MIAA MVP. Hope student-athletes have
claimed the award a total of 16 times.
Bandrowski won all eight of her singles and doubles matches against MIAA opponents
this spring. The sophomore from Traverse City, Michigan (St. Francis HS) played No.
1 singles and No. 2 doubles for the Flying Dutch.
“Amanda works extremely hard on her game,” head coach Bob Cawood said. “She had such
an amazing year last year at 2, but her willingness and compassion for the sport of
tennis is unmatched to anything I have ever seen. Amanda has stepped up into the role
of 1 singles position and has excelled at the position. There are a lot of great players
in the MIAA, and I am so happy for Amanda.”
Hallock, a sophomore from Lakeland, Florida (Harrison Center), also went 8-0 in both
singles and doubles league matches. She played No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles.
Hallock was named recipient of the MIAA’s Sue Little Sportsmanship Award.
“Claire has been dominant this year both at 2 singles and at 1 doubles with Taylor
Labarge,” Cawood said. “She is deserving of first team. Not only has she excelled
on the court, but she also received the Sue Little sportsmanship award. How you win
and how you lose tells a lot about someone’s character. Claire plays with class and
exemplifies the values of the MIAA. I am extremely proud of Claire for representing
herself, her family and Hope tennis to such high standards.”
LaBarge, a junior from Hudsonville, Michigan (Hudsonville), posted in league play
a 8-0 record at No. 1 doubles and a 7-1 mark at No. 3 singles.
Rahrig, a senior from Fort Wayne, Indiana (Bishop Luers), went in MIAA matches 8-0
at No. 4 singles and 6-1 at No. 3 doubles.