By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
One year removed from its most successful season in school history, Hope College faces a stern challenge this year as it seeks to repeat as Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football champions.
The Flying Dutchmen, who won a school-record 11 games against just one loss last year and reached the third round of the NCAA Division III playoffs before losing to eventual national champion North Central (Ill.) College, have been picked to finish second in the preseason poll of MIAA coaches.
Alma College, which won the 2023 MIAA championship, has been installed as the preseason favorite. The Scots and the Flying Dutchmen each received four first-place votes. Alma edged into the top spot in total points with 10, while Hope finished one point behind with 11.
While the Flying Dutchmen graduated their leading passer, top two running backs and leading receiver from last year, they return two First Team All-MIAA performers from a defense that was one of the nation’s best a year ago in junior safety Brad Raredon of Hudsonville (five interceptions, 51 tackles, 10 tackles for loss) and junior defensive back Austin Harvey of Rockford (four passes broken up, 3.5 TFL, one sack).
Also back for the defense is senior defensive lineman Caleb Paarlberg of Caledonia, a Second Team All-MIAA selection (34 tackles, 8.5 TFL and three sacks). On offense, junior tight end/H-back Seth Luhmann of Rochester Stoney Creek, a Second Team All-MIAA performer, returns.
Hope is ranked 20th nationally in two different preseason polls – one by d3football.com, the other by the American Football Coaches Association.
Alma, which went 6-1 in the MIAA and 8-2 overall a year ago, bring back a great deal of talent from last season, led by preseason All-American senior quarterback Carter St. John, a three-time All-MIAA selection. St. John has thrown for 8,872 yards and 96 touchdowns in his first three years with the Scots, including 2,956 yards and 31 TDs against just six interceptions a year ago.
Also back for Alma are senior running back Eddie Williams, a three-time All-MIAA selection who has rushed for nearly 2,500 yards in his career, and senior offensive lineman JB Couch, a two-time All-MIAA honoree. Senior punter Brice Kempf returns after a First Team All-MIAA season. Second Team All-MIAA returners include senior offensive lineman Owen Denk, junior linebacker Jett King, and sophomore defensive back Mar’Sean Massenburg.
Following is a synopsis of the rest of the MIAA, based on order of ranking in the coaches poll:
3. Adrian College
Adrian went 6-4 overall and 3-4 in the MIAA last season. The Bulldogs have added Mount Union (Ohio) transfer quarterback Noah Beaudrie, who earned Second Team All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors and appeared in the NCAA Division III Stagg Bowl last season. Adrian also returns First Team All-MIAA and Third Team All-Region offensive lineman Isaiah Simon, along with linebacker Ryker Bidwell, who earned All-MIAA honors in 2023.
4. Trine University
Trine finished 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the conference in 2024. Senior wide receiver and return specialist Tristan Burrus returns after earning First Team All-MIAA honors. Second Team All-MIAA returnees are senior offensive lineman Evan Kaehr and senior defensive end Cam McCarver.
5. Albion College
Albion recorded a 7-3 overall record and 5-2 league mark last season. The Britons return junior tight end Connor Davey and fifth-year senior wide receiver Dilon Denison, who both earned 2024 Second Team All-MIAA honors.
6. The University of Olivet
Olivet posted a 3-7 overall record and a 2-5 mark in the conference in 2024. The Comets have a new head coach in Erik Ieuter, who comes to Olivet after seven seasons as Muskingum (Ohio) University. Olivet returns senior running back and two-time All-MIAA honoree Dontal Wright, who rushed for 895 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago, along with sophomore offensive lineman Jelani Harbor, and sophomore wide receiver/return specialist Jaylan Johnson. All three were Second Team All-MIAA selections last year.
7. Calvin University
Calvin finished 2-8 overall and 0-7 in the MIAA in its first season as a football program last year. Sophomore linebacker Carson Schnurstein returns after ranking among the conference’s top five in tackles (61) and sack yards (26) in the 2024 regular-season.
8. Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo went 4-6 overall and 1-6 in the league in 2024. The Hornets return senior wide receiver Lucas Hanifan, a 2024 Second Team All-MIAA pick.
Hope will open its season Saturday, Sept. 6 on the road at Loras (Iowa) College. The Flying Dutchmen will begin MIAA play Saturday, Sept. 27 with a showdown against Alma at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium in a game that could set the tone for the rest of the league season.
The MIAA champion will earn the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Championships, which begin Nov. 22. The national championship game is slated for Jan. 10, 2026 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Zeeland Record
One year removed from its most successful season in school history, Hope College faces a stern challenge this year as it seeks to repeat as Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football champions.
The Flying Dutchmen, who won a school-record 11 games against just one loss last year and reached the third round of the NCAA Division III playoffs before losing to eventual national champion North Central (Ill.) College, have been picked to finish second in the preseason poll of MIAA coaches.
Alma College, which won the 2023 MIAA championship, has been installed as the preseason favorite. The Scots and the Flying Dutchmen each received four first-place votes. Alma edged into the top spot in total points with 10, while Hope finished one point behind with 11.
While the Flying Dutchmen graduated their leading passer, top two running backs and leading receiver from last year, they return two First Team All-MIAA performers from a defense that was one of the nation’s best a year ago in junior safety Brad Raredon of Hudsonville (five interceptions, 51 tackles, 10 tackles for loss) and junior defensive back Austin Harvey of Rockford (four passes broken up, 3.5 TFL, one sack).
Also back for the defense is senior defensive lineman Caleb Paarlberg of Caledonia, a Second Team All-MIAA selection (34 tackles, 8.5 TFL and three sacks). On offense, junior tight end/H-back Seth Luhmann of Rochester Stoney Creek, a Second Team All-MIAA performer, returns.
Hope is ranked 20th nationally in two different preseason polls – one by d3football.com, the other by the American Football Coaches Association.
Alma, which went 6-1 in the MIAA and 8-2 overall a year ago, bring back a great deal of talent from last season, led by preseason All-American senior quarterback Carter St. John, a three-time All-MIAA selection. St. John has thrown for 8,872 yards and 96 touchdowns in his first three years with the Scots, including 2,956 yards and 31 TDs against just six interceptions a year ago.
Also back for Alma are senior running back Eddie Williams, a three-time All-MIAA selection who has rushed for nearly 2,500 yards in his career, and senior offensive lineman JB Couch, a two-time All-MIAA honoree. Senior punter Brice Kempf returns after a First Team All-MIAA season. Second Team All-MIAA returners include senior offensive lineman Owen Denk, junior linebacker Jett King, and sophomore defensive back Mar’Sean Massenburg.
Following is a synopsis of the rest of the MIAA, based on order of ranking in the coaches poll:
3. Adrian College
Adrian went 6-4 overall and 3-4 in the MIAA last season. The Bulldogs have added Mount Union (Ohio) transfer quarterback Noah Beaudrie, who earned Second Team All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors and appeared in the NCAA Division III Stagg Bowl last season. Adrian also returns First Team All-MIAA and Third Team All-Region offensive lineman Isaiah Simon, along with linebacker Ryker Bidwell, who earned All-MIAA honors in 2023.
4. Trine University
Trine finished 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the conference in 2024. Senior wide receiver and return specialist Tristan Burrus returns after earning First Team All-MIAA honors. Second Team All-MIAA returnees are senior offensive lineman Evan Kaehr and senior defensive end Cam McCarver.
5. Albion College
Albion recorded a 7-3 overall record and 5-2 league mark last season. The Britons return junior tight end Connor Davey and fifth-year senior wide receiver Dilon Denison, who both earned 2024 Second Team All-MIAA honors.
6. The University of Olivet
Olivet posted a 3-7 overall record and a 2-5 mark in the conference in 2024. The Comets have a new head coach in Erik Ieuter, who comes to Olivet after seven seasons as Muskingum (Ohio) University. Olivet returns senior running back and two-time All-MIAA honoree Dontal Wright, who rushed for 895 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago, along with sophomore offensive lineman Jelani Harbor, and sophomore wide receiver/return specialist Jaylan Johnson. All three were Second Team All-MIAA selections last year.
7. Calvin University
Calvin finished 2-8 overall and 0-7 in the MIAA in its first season as a football program last year. Sophomore linebacker Carson Schnurstein returns after ranking among the conference’s top five in tackles (61) and sack yards (26) in the 2024 regular-season.
8. Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo went 4-6 overall and 1-6 in the league in 2024. The Hornets return senior wide receiver Lucas Hanifan, a 2024 Second Team All-MIAA pick.
Hope will open its season Saturday, Sept. 6 on the road at Loras (Iowa) College. The Flying Dutchmen will begin MIAA play Saturday, Sept. 27 with a showdown against Alma at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium in a game that could set the tone for the rest of the league season.
The MIAA champion will earn the league’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Championships, which begin Nov. 22. The national championship game is slated for Jan. 10, 2026 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
East Spikers “Hungry” As Season Begins
Junior Lizzie Risdon is expected to play a key role for the Zeeland East volleyball team this season. The Chix are coming off a 23-10 season a year ago and narrowly missed a district championship.
File photo
File photo
(Ed. Note: this is the first in a series of preview stories on Zeeland’s high school varsity fall sports as the new school year begins. Look for additional stories in the coming weeks.)
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
If there’s a word to describe the Zeeland East varsity volleyball team as it begins a new season, it’s “hungry.”
A year ago, the Chix finished second in the O-K Green Conference with a 9-3 conference record, and ended the season 23-10 overall. They fell just short in an epic five-set battle with West Ottawa in the district championship match, losing the final set 16-14.
“The girls are grinding and gritty, and that has made practices fun and competitive,” East coach Sara Mulder said. “It is a joy to see girls pushing one another to get better, and challenging one another with their savviness on the court.”
The Chix will be led by seven seniors who have varsity experience, headlined by middle hitter Savannah Byker and setter Elyse Smith. Another key returnee is junior outside hitter Lizzie Risdon, who announced over the summer she plans to play college volleyball at Division I Ohio University.
Senior defensive specialists Jordan Inosencio, Mahalia Vis and Kiersten Kuiper are expected to provide a solid back row for East. Another senior, Gracyn Huizenga, will play on the outside, Mulder said.
Senior Emily Wells and junior Bri Cole will be a threat in the middle. In addition, the Chix added two sophomores to the varsity in Ava Geerlings and Kyla Kuiper to add depth to the team, Mulder said.
“I hope this group continues to grow closer on and off the court through the season's ups and downs, because that will help prepare us for a fun ride (in the) postseason,” Mulder said. “I cannot wait to see what this team is capable of this season. Their ceiling is high.”
The Chix hosted a season-opening quad Wednesday against that included West Ottawa, Stevensville Lakeshore and Kalamazoo Loy Norrix. Results were not available at press time. Today, East will play a triangular against Grandville and Forest Hills Central at home.
The Chix open O-K Green conference play Sept. 4 on the road against defending conference champion Unity Christian.
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
If there’s a word to describe the Zeeland East varsity volleyball team as it begins a new season, it’s “hungry.”
A year ago, the Chix finished second in the O-K Green Conference with a 9-3 conference record, and ended the season 23-10 overall. They fell just short in an epic five-set battle with West Ottawa in the district championship match, losing the final set 16-14.
“The girls are grinding and gritty, and that has made practices fun and competitive,” East coach Sara Mulder said. “It is a joy to see girls pushing one another to get better, and challenging one another with their savviness on the court.”
The Chix will be led by seven seniors who have varsity experience, headlined by middle hitter Savannah Byker and setter Elyse Smith. Another key returnee is junior outside hitter Lizzie Risdon, who announced over the summer she plans to play college volleyball at Division I Ohio University.
Senior defensive specialists Jordan Inosencio, Mahalia Vis and Kiersten Kuiper are expected to provide a solid back row for East. Another senior, Gracyn Huizenga, will play on the outside, Mulder said.
Senior Emily Wells and junior Bri Cole will be a threat in the middle. In addition, the Chix added two sophomores to the varsity in Ava Geerlings and Kyla Kuiper to add depth to the team, Mulder said.
“I hope this group continues to grow closer on and off the court through the season's ups and downs, because that will help prepare us for a fun ride (in the) postseason,” Mulder said. “I cannot wait to see what this team is capable of this season. Their ceiling is high.”
The Chix hosted a season-opening quad Wednesday against that included West Ottawa, Stevensville Lakeshore and Kalamazoo Loy Norrix. Results were not available at press time. Today, East will play a triangular against Grandville and Forest Hills Central at home.
The Chix open O-K Green conference play Sept. 4 on the road against defending conference champion Unity Christian.
East Boys Netters Open With Wins
The Zeeland East boys tennis team opened the 2025 season last Saturday with convincing home wins over Yale, 8-0, and Muskegon Mona Shores, 6-2.
Against Yale, the Chix won all of their flights in straight sets, with Seth Timmerman at first singles and the first doubles team of Cam Volkers and Luke Hathaway winning their matches without losing a single game. East also swept all the doubles flights in its win over Mona Shores.
Payton Ott at No. 3 singles and Andrew Colasanti won both of their matches for the day, with Ott going three sets against Mona Shores to defeat Mona Shores’ Jackson Hurley, 6-4, 4-6, 10-7. All four doubles teams went 2-0 for the day as well.
Following is the summary of both matches:
Vs. Yale
Singles:
No. 1 - Seth VanTimmeren, Zeeland East def. Seth Burns, Yale, 6-0, 6-0
No. 2 - Daniel Steenwyk, Zeeland East def. Joshua Kriesch, Yale, 6-2, 6-0
No. 3 - Payton Ott, Zeeland East def. Cameron Fowler, Yale, 6-2, 6-4
No. 4 - Andrew Colasanti, Zeeland East def. Mona Shores sub - 6-1, 6-1
Doubles:
No. 1 - Cam Volkers/Luke Hathaway, Zeeland East def. Quincy Favre/Ryan Morris, Yale, 6-0, 6-0
No. 2 - Jace Velderman/Jacob Guerriero, Zeeland East def. Cole Hackett/Alfred Schweihofer, Yale, 6-2, 6-0
No. 3 - Gavin Sullivan/Pierson Kolean, Zeeland East def. Aubree Churchill/Wyatt Kavanagh, Yale, 6-0, 6-1
No. 4 - Tanner Reynolds/Lukas Hafaman, Zeeland East def. Carson Beukema/Jack Van Dis (ZE Subs), 6-0, 6-1
Vs. Mona Shores
Singles:
No. 1 - Reid Hackney, Muskegon Mona Shores def. Seth VanTimmeren, Zeeland East, 6-0, 6-0
No. 2 - Marcus Powell, Muskegon Mona Shores def. Daniel Steenwyk, Zeeland East, 6-0, 6-1
No. 3 - Payton Ott, Zeeland East def. Jackson Hurley, Muskegon Mona Shores, 6-4, 4-6, 10-7
No. 4 - Andrew Colasanti, Zeeland East def. Micah Bement, Muskegon Mona Shores, 6-1, 6-4;
Doubles:
No. 1 - Cam Volkers/Luke Hathaway, Zeeland East def. Brennen Resiter/Andrew Mills, Muskegon Mona Shores, 6-4, 6-2
No. 2 - Jace Velderman/Jacob Guerriero, Zeeland East def. Connor Knop/Dylan Lyonnais, Muskegon Mona Shores, 6-0, 6-1
No. 3 - Gavin Sullivan/Pierson Kolean, Zeeland East def. Jaiden Pope/Miles O'Brien, Muskegon Mona Shores, 6-1, 6-0
No. 4 - Tanner Reynolds/Lukas Hafaman, Zeeland East def. Harrison Sischo/Blake Keessen, Muskegon Mona Shores, 6-1, 6-1
Against Yale, the Chix won all of their flights in straight sets, with Seth Timmerman at first singles and the first doubles team of Cam Volkers and Luke Hathaway winning their matches without losing a single game. East also swept all the doubles flights in its win over Mona Shores.
Payton Ott at No. 3 singles and Andrew Colasanti won both of their matches for the day, with Ott going three sets against Mona Shores to defeat Mona Shores’ Jackson Hurley, 6-4, 4-6, 10-7. All four doubles teams went 2-0 for the day as well.
Following is the summary of both matches:
Vs. Yale
Singles:
No. 1 - Seth VanTimmeren, Zeeland East def. Seth Burns, Yale, 6-0, 6-0
No. 2 - Daniel Steenwyk, Zeeland East def. Joshua Kriesch, Yale, 6-2, 6-0
No. 3 - Payton Ott, Zeeland East def. Cameron Fowler, Yale, 6-2, 6-4
No. 4 - Andrew Colasanti, Zeeland East def. Mona Shores sub - 6-1, 6-1
Doubles:
No. 1 - Cam Volkers/Luke Hathaway, Zeeland East def. Quincy Favre/Ryan Morris, Yale, 6-0, 6-0
No. 2 - Jace Velderman/Jacob Guerriero, Zeeland East def. Cole Hackett/Alfred Schweihofer, Yale, 6-2, 6-0
No. 3 - Gavin Sullivan/Pierson Kolean, Zeeland East def. Aubree Churchill/Wyatt Kavanagh, Yale, 6-0, 6-1
No. 4 - Tanner Reynolds/Lukas Hafaman, Zeeland East def. Carson Beukema/Jack Van Dis (ZE Subs), 6-0, 6-1
Vs. Mona Shores
Singles:
No. 1 - Reid Hackney, Muskegon Mona Shores def. Seth VanTimmeren, Zeeland East, 6-0, 6-0
No. 2 - Marcus Powell, Muskegon Mona Shores def. Daniel Steenwyk, Zeeland East, 6-0, 6-1
No. 3 - Payton Ott, Zeeland East def. Jackson Hurley, Muskegon Mona Shores, 6-4, 4-6, 10-7
No. 4 - Andrew Colasanti, Zeeland East def. Micah Bement, Muskegon Mona Shores, 6-1, 6-4;
Doubles:
No. 1 - Cam Volkers/Luke Hathaway, Zeeland East def. Brennen Resiter/Andrew Mills, Muskegon Mona Shores, 6-4, 6-2
No. 2 - Jace Velderman/Jacob Guerriero, Zeeland East def. Connor Knop/Dylan Lyonnais, Muskegon Mona Shores, 6-0, 6-1
No. 3 - Gavin Sullivan/Pierson Kolean, Zeeland East def. Jaiden Pope/Miles O'Brien, Muskegon Mona Shores, 6-1, 6-0
No. 4 - Tanner Reynolds/Lukas Hafaman, Zeeland East def. Harrison Sischo/Blake Keessen, Muskegon Mona Shores, 6-1, 6-1
West Girls Open Golf Season
The Zeeland West varsity girls golf team began its season Monday with a non-conference dual against the Panthers of West Ottawa at Crestview Golf Club. The Dux were led by Allison Purtee with a 57.
Gabby Hoekwater added a 58, Aaliyah Le a 61, and Brynlee DeYoung a 65.
The Dux competed in the Zeeland East Sunrise Invitational on Tuesday at Winding Creek Golf Course. Results of the meet were not available at press time.
Gabby Hoekwater added a 58, Aaliyah Le a 61, and Brynlee DeYoung a 65.
The Dux competed in the Zeeland East Sunrise Invitational on Tuesday at Winding Creek Golf Course. Results of the meet were not available at press time.
