Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton volleyball team (5-2) opened its home schedule on Wednesday night with a non-conference match against second-ranked Hope College. The Flying Dutch (5-2) defeated the Thunder 3-0 (25-13, 25-23, 25-16) in the matchup inside King Arena.

Senior Caroline Capps led Wheaton with 12 kills tonight, Jordan Beford added seven kills and Emerson Traweek tallied six. Benford posted an impressive .429 attack percentage in the match.

Lacey Higgins had a team-high 18 assists for the Thunder and tallied two service aces. Libero Grace Autry had 11 digs, with seven by freshman Katherin Adkison.

The Flying Dutch won the first set 25-13 as the guests jumped out to a 10-3 lead in the set. Capps led Wheaton with five kills in the set and Higgins recorded six assists.

Hope won the second set 25-23. The guests led 18-13, when Wheaton responded by out-scoring the Flying Dutch 7-2 as the Thunder tied the set at 20-20. It was Wheaton's final tie of the set as the guests took a 23-20 lead on the way to the 25-23 win. Traweek had a team-high four kills in the second set and, Benford added three. Higgins distributed seven assists, and Paige Syswerda added five.

Hope won the decisive third set 25-16. The set was tied on nine occasions, the final time occurring at 13-13. Following the 13-13 tie, Hope scored five-consecutive points to gain an 18-13 lead. Capps returned as Wheaton's kill leader in the third set with five to her credit. Higgins had five assists, and Autry added seven digs.

Wheaton remains at home this weekend as it hosts the Marilyn Scribner Invitational. The Thunder open their home tournament on Friday at 4:00 p.m. with a match against Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.