CSR (Calvin Sports Report for February 10, 2009)

CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 10, 2009

Mantel and Van Eck Receive MIAA Player of the Week Honors;
Calvin/Hope Game A Sell-Out;
Hockey Team Prepares To Host Regional Tournament at Southside Ice Arena

MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Calvin College juniors John Mantel and Brook Van Eck have received MIAA Player of the Week honors. Mantel has been named MIAA Player of the Week in men's basketball for the third time this year while Van Eck has been named MIAA Player of the Week in women's basketball for the second time this season.

A junior from Chelsea (Chelsea HS), scored 32 points, pulled down 14 rebounds and blocked six shots during the week in leading the Knights to two victories and sole possession of first place in the MIAA race. He had 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks as Calvin defeated Alma, 66-55, and scored a game-high 20 points, pulled down five rebounds and blocked three shots in a 63-59 win over Adrian. For the week, Mantel made 9-of-14 shots from the field (64 percent), including two 3-point baskets, and 12-of-16 from the free-throw line (75 percent).

A junior from Lowell (Lowell HS), Van Eck scored 52 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the week in leading Calvin to two MIAA victories. She scored 26 points as the Knights posted a 76-68 win over Albion, then matched that total with 26 points, adding seven rebounds as Calvin defeated Adrian, 88-81. On the week, Van Eck made 14-of-24 shots from the field (58 percent) and 24-of-28 from the free-throw line (86 percent).

MEN'S BASKETBALL

The Calvin-Hope men's basketball game is set for a 7:30 p.m. tip time on Wednesday night. The game will mark the 171st meeting between the two rivals in men's basketball and will also feature the first meeting between the two schools inside the Van Noord Arena.

The game will feature a live West Michigan telecast by WGVU TV 35/52.

The game has been a sell-out for over a week.

Hope currently leads the all-time series 86-84 and holds a 12-10 edge in the decade of the 2000's. Calvin claimed the first meeting this year, winning 66-64 at Hope on January 17. For more on the rivalry, please visit the rivalry web site at: http://www.calvinhope.com

On Wednesday morning, Grand Rapids radio station WBBL 1340 AM will air its morning "On the Bench Program" from 10 a.m. until noon. The show will be hosted by WBBL sports director Bret Bakita and will feature interviews with Calvin head coach Kevin Vande Streek and senior Caleb Veldhouse.

The show can be heard throughout West Michigan and via the WBBL web site at: http://www.wbbl.com/

HOCKEY

The Calvin club hockey team will compete in an ACHA Regional tournament this Friday and Saturday at the Southside Ice Arena in Moline. Under the direction of head coach Mike Petrusma, the Knights are currently 15-7-2.

Calvin concluded its regular season this past weekend, defeating Lawrence Tech 6-2 on Friday and Grand Valley State 4-3 in overtime on Saturday.

Sophomore Bart Tocci (Lexington, MA) scored the game-winning goal against Grand Valley State with just over two minutes left in overtime with sophomore Steve Krommendyk (Grandville, Mich.) and freshman Jared Balog (Chatham, ON) drawing assists on the play.

Calvin finished third in the final ACHA Division III North Region rankings, missing an automatic berth to the upcoming ACHA III National Tournament in Rochester, New York, by one spot. Calvin still has a chance to qualify for the national tournament however. In order to do so, the Knights must win two games this weekend at the regional tournament at the Southside Ice Arena.

The Calvin sports information department caught up with head coach Mike Petrusma for an audio interview and Petrusma recapped the season to date and also talked about the upcoming regional tournament. The interview can be found on-line at: http://www.calvin.edu/sports/audio/MikePetrusma020909.mp3

Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Tue Feb 10 17:52:44 2009