McKenna Otto, Ana Grunewald, Maggie Wehrmeyer, and Charlotte Brecht all delivered for the Hope College volleyball team in big ways this spring.
Each has received All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association honors from the league’s coaches: Otto and Grunewald as repeat first-team selections, Brecht and Wehrmeyer as second-team honorees, and Wehrmeyer as the MIAA Freshman of the Year.
Hope finished with a 9-1 record this season. The 16th-ranked Flying Dutch also won the MIAA Tournament for the fourth time in team history on Saturday with a four-set victory at No. 6-ranked Calvin University.
Head coach Becky Schmidt praised all four of her award recipients.
Otto is a three-time honoree. The junior middle hitter and biomedical/biomechanical engineering major averaged 3.41 kills and 1.0 block per set this season.
Otto (Wheaton, Illinois / Wheaton North HS) also recorded a .270 hitting percentage.
“McKenna is the most well-rounded player in our conference,” Schmidt said. “She's a dynamic hitter, consistent passer, strong blocker, and she gets more excited when her teammates succeed than when she does.”
Grunewald is a two-time honoree. The junior outside hitter and biomedical/biomechanical engineering major led the Flying Dutch with 3.47 kills per set.
Grunewald (Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Grand Rapids) also averaged 2.52 digs per set.“When the pressure rises and things start to get tight, Ana's game rises right along with it,” Schmidt said. “She is at her best when the game is on the line — when her best is needed — and I am so proud of how mentally tough she has become.”
Wehrmeyer is Hope’s fourth MIAA Freshman of the Year, joining a select Flying Dutch group features Otto (2018), Jenna Grasmeyer (2011), and Kara VandeGuchte (2007).
Wehrmeyer (Holland, Michigan / West Ottawa) started all 10 games at libero this season. The freshman led Hope in digs with 5.24 per set and ranked second in the MIAA in that category.
“Maggie makes the game look easy because she is so often in the right spot,” Schmidt said. “She has proven to be incredibly consistent in serve reception — one of our best ever — and reads the game with an understanding that you'd expect from a fifth-year senior. We are really excited that she's only a freshman.”
Brecht topped the Flying Dutch and the MIAA in blocks per set at 1.29. The sophomore biology major also recorded 2.12 kills per set.
Brecht (Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan / Grosse Pointe South) had a .304 hitting percentage.
“Charlotte has steadily improved as the season has gone on,” Schmidt said. “Far and away the best blocker in the conference, Charlotte also became an important offensive option for our setters.”