CALVIN KNIGHT SPORTS REPORT FOR SEPT. 16, 2011
Volleyball Pulls Out Five-Set Thriller Over Wittenberg in Battle of Top-Ranked
Teams;
Men's Soccer Topples Wheaton in Cal Bergsma Memorial Tournament
VOLLEYBALL
SPRINGFIELD, OH - Like a pair of heavyweight prizefighters, the Calvin and
Wittenberg volleyball teams went toe-to-toe Friday night at Wittenberg's Great
Lakes Regional Challenge. In the end, top-ranked Calvin had one more punch than
third-ranked Wittenberg as the Knights recorded an epic five-set win by scores
of 18-25, 31-29, 22-25, 29-27, 17-15.
Calvin has now won three of its last four meetings against Wittenberg
including its last two matches against the Tigers in Springfield. A year ago,
Calvin defeated Wittenberg on its home floor in four sets in the NCAA III Great
Lakes Regional final.
Calvin (9-0) overcame 15 service errors to gain the win. Senior Rebecca Kamp
(Orland Park, IL/Chicago Christian HS) was a catalyst for the Knights with 25
kills while junior Lizzie Kamp (Orland Park/Chicago Christian HS) had 17 kills.
Senior Erin VanderPlas (Cadillac/McBain Christian HS) contributed 11 kills
while senior Renee DeHaan (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) came up with
arguably her finest performance of the young season with 10 kills, two solo
blocks and seven block assists. Sophomore setter Megan Rietema (Grand
Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) also had a big match with 54 assists.
In set one, Calvin held a 13-11 lead but Wittenberg (7-1) went on a 14-5 run
to win the set and gain the early momentum. The dramatic nature of the match
grew in set two as the Knights overcame a 19-13 deficit with a 7-1 run to tie
the set 20-20. Calvin then fought off four set points by Wittenberg to gain a
31-29 set win.
After Wittenberg grabbed a 25-22 set three victory, the Knights pulled out to
a 16-12 lead in set four. Calvin later led 24-20 but could not put the Tigers
away as Wittenberg rallied to tie the score 24-24. Calvin refused to fold
however and finally forced a deciding set five on consecutive kills by Lizzie
Kamp.
In set five, Calvin led 13-10 and later 14-11 but once again could not put the
Tigers away as Wittenberg fought off four match points before the Knights were
finally able to claim victory behind a pair of Wittenberg hitting errors.
"It was not a pretty match but we'll take the result," said Calvin head coach
Amber Warners. "I thought both teams showed a lot of resolve. Neither team
quit. I give credit to Wittenberg because they have a great team but I also
have to credit our team for pulling out a huge win in a very difficult place to
play on the road. The big thing is that we have to turn around quickly
Saturday morning and play very talented teams from Hedielberg and Ohio
Northern. We have to put this match behind us quickly and move on to the next
day."
Earlier on Friday, Calvin defeated Mount St. Joseph 25-22, 25-12, 25-20.
VanderPlas and Rebecca Kamp had nine kills apiece while Lizzie Kamp had eight
kills. Rietema had 29 assists and senior Kelly Peterson (Ramsey, MN/Anoka HS)
14 digs.
Calvin will face Heidelberg at 10 a.m. and Ohio Northern at 2 p.m. on
Saturday.
MEN'S SOCCER
By Sports Information Student Assistant Mark DeHaan
After a 5-0 conference opening win against Adrian this past Tuesday, the men's
soccer team was looking to continue its strong offensive play as it hosted the
Wheaton Thunder in the first round game of the Cal Bergsma Memorial Tournament.
The Knights came out firing on all cylinders as they were able to pressure the
Wheaton keeper early and often. Less than a minute into the game, freshmen Dino
Duratovic was able to put a shot on net that was saved by the Wheaton goalie.
Wheaton would quickly counter, but the ensuing shot was wide of the net. With
just under 40 minutes to play in the first half, Duratovic had another
opportunity on net, but this was also saved.
The game would become very physical as both sides were looking for the
advantage in the match. Ball control seemed to be about 50/50, although Calvin
was getting more opportunities on net. Sophomore Nick Holtrop would put a few
shots on net, including a header off a free kick that was saved by the Wheaton
keeper.
With under 10 minutes left, Calvin began to pepper the net as the Vegter
brothers, senior Tyler and freshman Travis, began to pressure the Thunder.
A Wheaton foul with 3:48 remaining in the half would give the Knights a free
kick at midfield. Taking the kick was sophomore Lawrence Murray, who put the
ball into the box where it would bounce through the crowd and into the back of
the net for the goal. The Knights would take the 1-0 lead into the half.
Heading into halftime, Calvin held a 17-5 shots advantage over the Thunder.
Coming out of the break, Wheaton started to pressure the Knights back line a
little more, finally gaining a slight upper hand in the Calvin zone.
With 38:28 left in the game, a Wheaton forward weaved past the Calvin
defenders to the middle of the box. The Thunder player would then put a
left-footed shot past a diving Michael Dolan, but the ball would go wide of the
net, keeping the Knights 1-0 lead intact.
Just under 10 minutes later, Calvin would respond as Travis Vegter was able to
steal the ball in Wheaton's half. The younger Vegter would weave through three
Wheaton defenders before making his way into the box where he passed to his
older brother, Tyler. Tyler took the pass, and with his left foot, put the ball
at the far post and into the net for the goal and the 2-0 Calvin lead.
The teams continued to play with a lot of aggressiveness and physicality as
both sides earned numerous free kicks and fouls. With 6:53, Wheaton found the
break it needed as a cross was put into the middle.
A Wheaton forward would then put a shot on net that was tipped up by keeper
Michael Dolan. Wheaton’s Drew Golz would then streak in and head the ball into
the net to cut the lead to 2-1.
The game would fight back and forth until, with under a minute left, Wheaton
earned a final chance off a Calvin penalty. The ensuing kick would find its way
into the middle of the field where it was headed wide, and the clock would tick
down to zeroes, giving Calvin the close win.
Overall, there were 11 yellow cards handed out in the physical matchup. The
win puts Calvin at 4-2 on the season and extends its winning streak over
Wheaton to four games. The Knights will continue their tournament play tomorrow
as they host Madonna University at Zuidema Field at 4:00 p.m.
Received on Fri Sep 16 23:18:00 2011
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