CSR (Volleyball downs Hope - Win Streak at Nine)

CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 16, 2004

VOLLEYBALL

The home opener for the Calvin Knights was against rival Hope College on Thursday, Sept. 16, at the Calvin College Fieldhouse.

The Calvin Knights defeated the Hope Flying Dutch in three games, 30-22, 30-18, 30-22.

Calvin carried an eight-match winning streak against Hope, dating back to the 2001 season. Calvin had won six of its last seven meetings against Hope at the Calvin Field house. Calvin entered the game 8-1 overall, Hope was 3-4 in the season.

Calvin started the game by earning the first two points of the game. Hope quickly tied the score, and that would be the first of two times Hope tied the game. After a score of 7-2, no more than three consecutive points were scored for either team in the game. Calvin took the lead by nine, but Hope went for a short run in the middle of the game, bringing the Flying Dutch within six points. Calvin went for a four point run, stopping one point short of the game, finally winning the first match on a Hope error, 30-22.

Calvin began the second game by capturing the first point of the game and went for a 7-0 run, the longest run in all three games. Calvin allowed Hope one point, and went on another five point run. After a few battles back and forth, Calvin had another six point run, and then won the second match, 30-18.

Calvin captured the first point of the third game also, but Hope caught up, tying the game at 11. No more than three consecutive points were allowed until Calvin went on a six point run. That was the longest run for either team in game three, and Calvin took the win, 30-22.

Calvin was led by senior Kara Kuipers [Hudsonville, Michigan] led the team with 12 kills. Kuipers also led the team with four blocks.

"Our go-to person is Kara Kuipers," said head coach Amber Warners.

Other key players in the game included freshman setter Katie Zondervan [Cerritos, Cal.], Sophomore Kristen Kalb [Stow, Ohio] and junior Megan VanDommelen [Sheboygan, Wisc]. Zondervan led the team with 32 set assists and had seven digs. Kalb had nine kills and seven digs for the Knights. VanDommelen, coming off the bench, led the team with four blocks.

"[Numbers] 1-13, we are very even," said Warners. I can put anyone in any spot."
As a team Calvin had a .277 attack percentage. Kuipers led the team with a .458 hitting percentage.

Hope College's Julie VanderSlice had seven kills and 13 digs.

"I was happy with the way we came out tonight," said Warners. "We had the right intensity. We were excited with control, and we controlled our tempo."

According to Warners, Calvin used tough serves and serve receives to take the win.

"We worked really well as a team," said senior co-captain Kristin DeGroot [Tulare, Cal.]. "We kept the intensity up. That was our main goal * to keep intense."

"Hope's always a fun one. There's always a little extra fire," said junior Jill Scholten [Zeeland, Mich.]. "It was awesome."

Calvin returns to action on Tuesday, Sept. 21, hosting Kalamazoo at 7:00 p.m.

MIAA VOLLEYBALL STANDINGS THROUGH 9-16-04

Calvin 5-0
Kalamazoo 4-0
Alma 3-0
Albion 3-2
Adrian 2-1
Hope 1-3
St. Mary's 1-4
Olivet 0-4
Tri-State 0-5

Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Thu Sep 16 21:54:11 2004