CSR (Calvin Falls to Alma - Splits Matches at Midwest Invitational)

OCTOBER 29, 2004

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
(Stories written by Abby Zylstra '08 & Annalise VenHuizen '08)

Calvin suffered it's second MIAA defeat against Alma in the first round of
the 2004 Midwest Invitational Tournament. Alma defeated Calvin 30-28, 24-30,
30-21, 30-24, at the Calvin College Fieldhouse Friday afternoon.

Alma, the only remaining unbeaten team in the NCAA III, holds onto the
outright MIAA title with a record of 16-0. The title is the fourth straight
for Alma including its third straight outright crown. Calvin finishes second
for the third straight year with a record of 14-2.

In finishing second in the league, the Knights gain the number-two seed for
the MIAA Tournament next week and will host St. Mary's Tuesday night in a
first round MIAA Tournament match at 7:00 p.m.

In its match against the Scots, Calvin scored the first two points of game
one, but Alma quickly scored consecutive points to pull ahead. The two teams
battled back and forth, neither team scoring more than three points in a row.
The teams threw the lead back and forth, and Calvin had the lead, 28-27. Then
Alma made a dash for the finish, scoring a fast three points, 30-28.

Calvin took the first few points of game two, but the Scots were there
to take the next four, giving them back the lead. However, the Knights
had a burst of energy and scored the next eight consecutive points,
giving them a six point lead and the longest run of the match. Alma
matched the energy and had a 7-1 run of their own. The Scots managed to tie
the game at 15, but never regained the lead. The Knights won, 30-24.

Alma scored the first point of game three, and the Scots held onto the
lead for the rest of the game. Both teams had a five point run, but
after point 14, the Knights couldn't score more than one point per
possession. The Scots won, 30-21.

Game four started the same way, Alma taking the first point. The
Knights made a five-point run attempt at the lead, and came within two
points of the Scots. However, Alma made another quick finish, scoring
a fast five consecutive points to win the game, the match, and the MIAA title,
30-24.

The Knights were led by several key players. Senior Kara Kuipers
[Hudsonville] and junior Christine Hendricks [Cincinnati, Ohio] led the
team with 16 kills a piece. The duo was fed by freshman Katie Zondervan
[Lakewood, Cal.] who tallied up 46 set assists. Senior Kristin DeGroot
[Tulare, Cal.] compiled 30 digs and sophomore Kristen Kalb [Stow, Ohio] dug up
20.

Kuipers also led the team with three blocks.

For the Scots, senior Kristin Judson led with 26 kills, senior Caitlin
Deis and junior Erin Fralick each put down 16. Senior Lindsey Baker
compiled 64 set assists. Senior Kerri Judson led the team with 21
digs, Baker had 20, and Kristin Judson had 19. Fralick blocked six
kill attempts and senior Kelly O'Connor blocked five.

In the second round match of the Midwest Invitational at Calvin College, the
Knights defeated Wheaton College in three short games.

Though Wheaton captured the first two points of the match, Calvin quickly
regained the lead, winning 17 of the next 19 points. Wheaton mess-ups
accounted for most of Calvin's point runs.

In the second game, Wheaton held Calvin within three points until the Knights
went on a six-point run, pulling ahead 17-8. Calvin's front row won most of
the second match points with strong blocking and kills.

The Knights were the domineering team in the third match, although Wheaton had
some shining moments.

Sophomores Kristen Kalb (Stow, OH) and Lorilyn Vogel (Orange City, IA) had
nine kills a piece, and senior Kara Kuipers (Hudsonville) followed with eight
kills. Kuipers had 23 total attacks, followed by Vogel with 18, Kalb with 14,
and junior Christine Hendricks (Cincinnati, OH) with 11, contributing to the
team total of 88 attacks and 43 kills.
        
Freshman setter Katie Zondervan (Lakewood, CA) contributed 20 assist, and
junior setter Jill Scholten (Zeeland) had 19.

 The Knights defense played a decent game as well with a total of 36 digs, 11
by senior Krisitin DeGroot (Tulare, CA). Kuipers also contributed on the
defensive end with 3 solo blocks and 4 block assists.

The Knights stand 1-1 in the Midwest Invitational, and are scheduled to play
Hanover College at 11:30 tomorrow morning in a third round match.

Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Fri Oct 29 21:15:01 2004