CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
VOLLEYBALL
Calvin 3, Hope 1 (30-24, 30-24, 27-30, 30-17)
(Written by Annalise Venhuizen ‘08)
GRAND RAPIDS - With tonight’s 3-1 win over conference-rival Hope College (6-5, 2-1 MIAA) this evening, Calvin (11-1, 4-0 MIAA) remains undefeated in the league while also extending its record-breaking season, as Hope’s loss tonight was its first regular season MIAA loss since October 2004.
Just a week ago, Calvin won at Alma for the first time since 2000, which was also the last year the Knights appeared in the American Volleyball Coaches Association NCAA Division III Top 25 Poll until this week; Calvin is currently ranked 24th in the poll.
Tonight’s match lasted four games, as Calvin won the first two, both with scores of 30-24, dropped the third 27-30, and came back in domineering fashion to take the fourth game 30-17.
While Hope certainly stepped up play in the third game, Coach Warners noted, “We had an attitude that we would walk through that game, and we ended up playing defense, then couldn’t adjust.” The Knights reestablished themselves with a large-margin fourth game win.
Calvin’s defense was certainly strong against a Hope offense that boasts two 2005 All-MIAA selections in junior setter Stephanie Poll and senior middle hitter Amber Hoezee, but the key for Calvin came on the offensive end. Especially outstanding was Calvin senior Kristen Kalb (Stow, OH/Stow Munroe Falls), who shined after resting most of last season due to an injury.
A forceful hitter, Kalb had a remarkable season-high 26 kills this evening and added 15 digs. Head Coach Amber Warners is glad to have Kalb back, because “she helps us all around: in defense, serve-receive, and hitting. She’s is a consistent and very smart player. I think this is the best match I’ve seen her play.”
Also contributing for Calvin on offense were senior Katy Luimes (Caledonia, On/Hamilton District Christian) with 13 kills and junior Molly Krikke (Greenwich, Oh/South Central) who added 12 kills. Junior setter Katie Zondervan (Lakewood, CA/Valley Christian) had 60 assists and 17 digs. In addition, sophomore libero Lauren DeGroot (Tulare, CA/Central Valley Christian) had 34 digs and freshman Kelsey Sears (Traverse City/Traverse City West) gathered 20 digs.
Leading Hope with 14 kills was Kim Brandes, while Nora Slenk had 11 kills. Setter Poll cumulated 34 assists and Deena VanAssen had 24 digs.
Calvin heads to Olivet College tomorrow for a conference match set to begin at 6:30 p.m. The Knights will then continue conference play this Friday at St. Mary’s in a 7:00 p.m. game.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
(Written by Drew DeVries ’08)
Calvin 6, St. Mary’s 1
GRAND RAPIDS - Calvin remained undefeated on an overcast and rainy afternoon at Zuidema Field with a 6-1 victory over St. Mary’s. The nationally-ranked Knights improved their record to 8-0 with the non-conference win.
Calvin came out a little sluggish early on in the first half and St. Mary’s was able to take advantage of the slippery field conditions to grab an early 1-0 lead. But it did not take long for the Knights to get on track when sophomore Elizabeth Ribbens (Tinley Park, IL/Victor J. Andrew) opened up the scoring for Calvin off of a nice chip pass from senior Laura Rooks (Holland/Holland Christian).
Calvin’s next goal came four minutes later when senior Sarah Weesies (Kalamazoo/Kalamazoo Christian) found the back of the net for her team leading eighth goal of the season with the assist given to Jill Capel (Hudsonville/Unity Christian). Ribbens later added another goal to give Calvin a 3-1 halftime lead.
The Knights came out in the second half with the momentum and kept it rolling with freshman Allison Boender (Grandville/Calvin Christian) scoring twelve minutes in with the assist given to Jessica Vegter (Hudsonville/Unity Christian).
Six minutes later Ribbens scored her third goal of the game to collect her first career hat trick. The assist on the play was given to Weesies. Boender then added her second goal of the game with just over twenty minutes left.
Calvin outshot St. Mary’s 13-2 on goal and Calvin’s three goalkeepers, Alyssa Bergsma (Walker/Calvin Christian), Kayla Sulzer (St. Charles, MO/Whitfield), and Lynae Steketee (Holland/Holland Christian) combined for five saves.
The Knights will open up conference play this Saturday at Zuidema Field when the Hornets of Kalamazoo pay a visit for a 12:00 noon game.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL, WOMEN’S SOCCER TEAM NATIONALLY-RANKED
For the first time since the 2000 season, the Calvin women’s volleyball has cracked the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III Top-25 poll. Under the direction of fifth-year head coach Amber Warners, the Knights are ranked 24th in this week poll after receiving votes the last two weeks.
An upset victory over previously eighth-ranked Wittenberg helped Calvin move into this week’s poll. After a four-game victory over Hope Tuesday night, Calvin is 11-1 on the season. The complete AVCA Division III Top-25 poll can be found at: http://www.avca.org/collegiate/DIIIpoll/DIIIpoll9-19-06.asp
The women’s soccer team, led by sixth-year head coach Mark Recker continues to be nationally-ranked. The Knights are ranked 17th in this week’s National Soccer Coaches Association Division III Top-25 poll and 11th in this week’s D3kicks.com Top-25 poll.
The NSCAA Division III Top 25 poll can be found at: http://nscaa.com/seniorRes.php?it=179
The D3kicks.com Top 25 poll can be found at: http://www.d3kicks.com/top25.php
Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Tue Sep 19 22:53:13 2006
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