CKSR (Calvin Saturday Sports Report for Sept. 24, 2011)

CALVIN KNIGHT SATURDAY SPORTS REPORT FOR SEPT. 24, 2011

Cross Country Teams Capture First Place at MIAA Jamboree;
Volleyball Team Picks Up Win at Trine;
Men's Soccer Claims Road Win at Kalamazoo;
Women's Soccer Defeats Olivet in MIAA Match;
Women's Golf Takes First at Alma Invitational;
Men's Golf Takes First at MIAA Jamboree
 

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

ANGOLA, IN – The nationally-ranked Calvin men’s and women’s cross country
teams put on an impressive show Saturday morning at the MIAA Jamboree hosted by
Trine University at the Zollner Golf Course as both teams took first place by
solid margins.

In the women’s race, ninth-ranked Calvin took first place with 27 points, 17
points ahead of rival Hope which entered Saturday’s race ranked 13th
nationally. On the men’s side, fifth-ranked Calvin nearly pulled off a perfect
score, taking the top four spots and five of the top six to finish with 16
points, well ahead of 31st-ranked Albion which posted a team score of 61
points.
The MIAA Jamboree is worth one-third of the final MIAA crown with the MIAA
Championships, slated for October 29 making up the remaining two-thirds.

Senior Jodi Hoekstra (Homer Glen, IL/Chicago Christian HS) and junior Alyssa
Penning (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) again led a powerful one-two
punch up front with Hoekstra winning the 6K race in 22:52 while Penning was
second in 23:20. Calvin placed five runners in the top 10 as senior Kaitlin
Diemer (Caledonia/South Christian HS) was fifth (23:49), sophomore Alyssa Oram
(Cheboygan, MI) ninth (24:11) and junior Christine Hartley (Pewaukee, WI/Lake
Country Lutheran HS) 10th (24:11). Rounding out Calvin’s top group were
freshman Sarah Danner (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) in 14th (24:32)
and sophomore Nicole Michermhuizen (Holland/Holland Christian HS) in 18th
(24:42).

On the men’s side, junior Matt VanderRoest (Ann Arbor/Ann Arbor Huron HS) had
a monster day, winning the 8K race in a time of 26:01 while junior Dan Kerr
(Petoskey/Petoskey HS) was second (26:09), junior David VandeBunte (Byron
Center/Byron Center HS) third (26:34), junior Job Christiansen (New Ipswich,
NH/Mascenic Regional HS) fourth (26:44), junior Greg Whittle (Galesburg,
IL/Galesburg HS) sixth (26:55), senior Rhett Morici (St. Charles, IL/St.
Charles North HS) seventh (26:58) and junior Kevin Peterson (Grand Rapids/Grand
Rapids Christian HS) 14th (27:33).
“I thought both teams did an outstanding job of working together on a very
tough, hilly course,” said Calvin head cross country coach Brian Diemer. “Both
teams showed a lot of mental toughness. I was just as proud of our second and
third packs as I was of our top pack in each race. Both of our teams are really
‘getting it’ which is exciting to see.”
Both Calvin teams return to action next Friday, competing at the Notre Dame
Invitational.

VOLLEYBALL
Calvin 3, Trine 0
(Written by Sports Information Student Assistant Mitch Blankespoor)

ANGOLA, IN - The Calvin College women’s volleyball team looked to win its
fifth straight conference game Saturday. The Trine University Thunder was the
one standing in the way. The Knights were pushed, but pulled out a three set
victory defeating the Thunder 25-17, 28-26, 25-21.
All three sets started out tight. After the first 20 points in each set, the
score was knotted at ten apiece. Calvin pulled away in the first set behind
service runs from sophomore Megan Rietema (Grand Rapids Christian HS) and
junior Jen Pluymert (Grand Rapids Christian HS). Set number two saw the
Knights coming back from a 20-15 to tie the score at 24-24. Trine’s lone set
point came at 26-25 when freshmen Jordan Bell’s serve went into the net.
Calvin used a service run from junior Lizzie Kamp (Chicago Christian HS) to
jump out to a 17-12 lead and never looked back.
“Give Trine the credit. They came ready to go. We did not block well today.
When a team plays well on the other side of the net, it means that we have to
play more defense.” Head Coach Amber Warners commented after the match.
Calvin (14-0, 5-0 MIAA) was led by Lizzie Kamp and senior Rebecca Kamp
(Chicago Christian HS) who had 13 and 11 kills respectively despite hitting a
season low .240 as a team. Megan Rietema dished out 28 assist while senior
Kelly Peterson (Anoka HS) added 13 digs. Calvin as a team had eight blocks.
The Thunder were led by junior Betsy Irwin and freshmen Melanie Troyer with 14
and 11 kills respectively. Junior setter Sarah Radekin dished out 29 assists.

“We have people step it up on any given day. Becca and Lizzie were the ones
who did today. We did a great job getting them the ball.”
Top-ranked Calvin returns to action on Wednesday when they play host to the
Hope College Flying Dutch.

MIAA VOLLEYBALL STANDINGS THROUGH 9-24-11

Calvin 6-0
Hope 6-0
Alma 5-2
Trine 3-3
Saint Mary’s 3-4
Kalamazoo 2-4
Adrian 2-4
Olivet 1-5
Albion 0-6
MEN’S SOCCER
Calvin 2, Kalamazoo 0
KALAMAZOO - The Calvin men’s soccer team bumped its win streak to five games
with a 2-0 MIAA victory at Kalamazoo College Saturday afternoon at the
Kalamazoo Community Soccer Complex. In a game that started 30 minutes late
because of lightning in the Kalamazoo area, Calvin struck first, scoring on a
goal by sophomore Ben Honeycutt late in the first half with senior Tyler Vegter
and sophomore Zach Willis receiving credit for assists on the play.
Calvin began to pick up the tempo in the second half and broke through for the
clinching goal in the 85th minute of play as freshman Dino Duratovic whipped in
a shot from inside the box after receiving a pass from freshman teammate Travis
Vegter.
Senior Jared Rushlau went the distance in nets for the Knights, collecting two
saves and the shutout win.
Calvin held a 12-7 shots at goal advantage including 6-2 in the second half.
Saturday’s game marked the opening stretch of a four-game road swing for the
Knights.
MIAA MEN’S SOCCER STANDINGS THROUGH 9-24-11 GAMES

Calvin 3-0-0
Olivet 3-0-0
Trine 2-0-1
Hope 1-1-1
Kalamazoo 1-2-0
Albion 1-2-0
Adrian 0-3-0
Alma 0-3-0

WOMEN’S SOCCER
Calvin 3, Olivet 0
Entering their third contest in five days, the Calvin women's soccer team was
looking for some extra energy as it hosted the Comets of Olivet. The Comets,
also playing in their third game of the week and entering play with an 0-8
overall record, were not to be overlooked, however.

Calvin was able to control the ball early as junior Francesca Smith was able
to put some pressure on Comets freshmen keeper Kourtney Moore. With 31:15 left
in the first half, the Comets were able to create a great opportunity of their
own as an Olivet striker was able to intercept a pass deep in Calvin's half and
take it on net. Calvin freshmen goalie Lauren Merz came charging out, forcing a
shot from the Olivet striker that would go just wide. The Knights would possess
the ball for much of the rest of the half, controlling the ball in the Comet's
half.

Calvin's best opportunity of the half would come with just over two minutes
remaining as junior Liz Cancel would put a shot on net that was saved by the
Comets keeper. The game would head into the break at a 0-0 tie, with Calvin
holding a 15-2 shots advantage. The Knights would continue the strong offensive
play in the second half, this time capitalizing on their opportunities.

Less than ten minutes into the half, the Knights would find themselves deep in
Olivet's half.

Sophomore Brittany Hieftje would put a cross into the middle that would be
settled by fellow sophomore Kelly Koets. Koets would put a shot on net that
would bounce off the hands of the Comets keeper and to the foot of Francesca
Smith who would bury the ball into the back of the net. Down 1-0, Olivet would
look to respond as it would earn a corner kick just a minute after the Knights
goal. The kick would be put into the middle of the box, and then punched out by
Lauren Merz.

Calvin would play strong defense from then out, giving its offense plenty of
opportunities.

With just over ten minutes remaining, Danielle Carter would net her second
goal of the season off a Liz Cancel corner kick to give Calvin the 2-0 lead.
With just over three minutes remaining, the Knights would put the game out of
reach on Smith's second goal of the game. Calvin would run out the clock and
take the 3-0 win over the Comets, improving its record to 3-5 on the season
overall, 3-1 in the MIAA. Playing the whole game in net and earning the clean
sheet was Lauren Merz.

“The idea from day one has been to take a young squad and to help them
understand the collegiate game – the speed, the structure. It wasn't easy early
on, and we had some lessons from some very good teams,” said Head Coach Mark
Recker. “We want to take gradual steps to being a consistent performer. Not
giving up a goal was a good step – we didn't let down, just kept going for the
net.”

The Knights now look forward to Wednesday when they will host St. Mary's at
4:00 pm.

MIAA WOMEN’S SOCCER STANDINGS THROUGH 9-24-11 GAMES

Alma 4-1-0
Kalamazoo 4-1-0
Adrian 3-1-0
Calvin 3-1-0
Hope 3-1-0
Saint Mary’s 2-2-0
Trine 1-4-0
Albion 0-4-0
Olivet 0-5-0

WOMEN’S GOLF
ALMA - The Calvin women’s golf team captured the championship of the Alma
Invitational Saturday afternoon. Competing in a field of seven teams, Calvin
posted a team score of 351 strokes to finish three strokes ahead of the rest of
the field.

Junior Elise Doezema (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) had another
outstanding performance, finishing second individually with a round of 80.
Sophomore teammate Carlia Canto (Marysville/Port Huron Northern HS) had an 86
while junior Nicole Black (Grand Rapids/Kenowa Hills HS) had a 92.

Rounding out Calvin’s finishers were freshmen Jackie and Laura Richert (Fort
Gratiot/Port Huron Northern HS) with Jackie Richert posting a round of 93 and
Laura Richert a round of 97.
Calvin returns to action next Thursday, competing in an MIAA Tournament hosted
by Albion at the Medalist Golf Club at 1 p.m.

MEN’S GOLF

ANGOLA, IN – The Calvin men’s golf team opened the second half of the MIAA
regular season with a bang, winning MIAA Jamboree #5 with a team score of 294
strokes. Calvin remains in sixth place in the MIAA overall standings but has
tightened the standings with three league outings left to play this fall.
Calvin sits in sixth place with 1,554 strokes, seven strokes behind fifth place
Trine and 10 strokes behind third place Alma and Olivet. Hope is in second
place, 17 strokes ahead of Calvin while Adrian is in first place 24 strokes
ahead of Calvin.

In Saturday’s competition at Trine’s Zollner Golf Club, Calvin fought through
rain showers to fire a season-best score. The Knights were paced by junior Ben
Kuiper (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) with a score of 71 that was
good for second place individually. Junior Dave Sarkipato (Kalamazoo/Kalamazoo
Christian HS) and freshman James Van Noord (Troy/Troy Athens HS) tied for sixth
place individually with rounds of 73. Senior Jake DeBoer (Byron Center/South
Christian HS) served as Calvin’s fourth man with a round of 77.
Competing for Calvin as an individual was sophomore Mark Allen (Oconomowoc,
WI/Lake Country Lutheran HS) with a 73.

Kory Roberts of Olivet was the medalist on Saturday with a round of 70. Calvin
is back in action on Monday when it competes at an MIAA Jamboree hosted by Hope
at the Wuskowhan Golf Player’s Club.
MIAA JAMBOREE #5 TEAM SCORES (9-24-11)

Calvin 294
Olivet 296
Trine 300
Alma 301
Hope 303
Adrian 306
Albion 306
Kalamazoo 324

MIAA MEN’S GOLF OVERALL TEAM STANDINGS THROUGH 9-24-11

Adrian 1530
Hope 1537
Alma 1544
Olivet 1544
Trine 1547
Calvin 1554
Albion 1584
Kalamazoo 1669
Received on Sat Sep 24 23:14:09 2011