CKSR (Calvin Knight Sports Report for Nov. 2, 2012)

CALVIN KNIGHT SPORTS REPORT FOR NOV. 2, 2012

WOMEN'S SOCCER
By Mark DeHaan

Just two days after defeating Adrian 2-1 in overtime to claim the top seed for
the MIAA tournament, it was the Bulldogs who once again stood in the way of the
Knights as Calvin had to beat Adrian to earn a berth in the MIAA tournament
final Saturday afternoon. In the first semifinal game of the day, it was Hope
defeating Alma 3-2 to earn the first berth into the final. Calvin, with an
early goal from freshman Taylor TenHarmsel, earned the second as strong defense
from the Knights gave them a 1-0 victory and a third game against the rival
Flying Dutch.

From the opening kick, Calvin dominated the match against the Bulldogs. Adrian
senior keeper Chayna Wallace was fantastic in net for the Bulldogs though,
nearly matching every Calvin shot with a save.
But, in the 8th minute, Taylor TenHarmsel put the Knights up as she took a
crossing pass from freshman Paige Capel and tapped it into the back of the net,
giving Calvin the 1-0 lead.
The Knights continued to pressure Wallace throughout the first half, building
a 14-4 shots advantage.
In the second half, Calvin looked to push its lead to two, but couldn’t seem
to find the back of the net. Shots from junior Kelly Koets and Capel nearly
missed wide of frame as the Bulldogs continued to hang into the game late.
Adrian then earned a free kick in the 78th minute from about 20 yards out with
a look straight on goal. Adrian sophomore forward Erin Weide, who has scored 18
goals on the season, took the kick for the Bulldogs. Fortunately for Calvin,
the shot sailed over the crossbar and away from danger as the Knights held onto
the lead.
The Calvin defense then went on lockdown, not allowing a single Adrian shot
for the remainder of the game as the Knights closed out the 1-0 victory and
earned a berth in the MIAA tournament final tomorrow.
Calvin outshot the Bulldogs 28-7 including 15-3 on net. Five of Adrian’s seven
shots came from Weide, who throughout the game, was shadowed by freshman
centerback Kelsey Heigel. Fellow freshmen backs Jaimie Verbal and Sydney Kinney
also played strong games on the back line for the Knights.
“I think we could have been more efficient, and if we had, the game would have
been less stressful,” said head coach Mark Recker. “Today, Adrian made us work.
Weide is a very gifted player with speed, and she is a threat whenever she gets
on the ball. I think we have to find another level of mental toughness going
into tomorrow’s game. I would suspect that tomorrow is going to be a demanding
game on both teams.”
The Knights advance to the MIAA tournament final to face rival Hope. The
championship game will take place at Calvin’s Zuidema Field on Saturday, with
the opening kick schedule for 12 p.m.
In the first semifinal game of the afternoon, third seeded Hope earned a 3-2
come-from-behind victory against second seeded Alma. The Scots took an early
2-0 lead as Agatha Weddle and Taryn Handyside each scored in the first 13
minutes of the game.
Alma held the lead through the intermission before two goals within two
minutes, the first from Rachel Rebhan and the second from Lindsey Bieri,
equalized the game for the Flying Dutch. Hope then took the lead in the 84th
minute as Katie Gabriel put the ball into the back of the net off of a corner
kick and didn’t look back, closing out the 3-2 win.
 
VOLLEYBALL
By Jordan Brink
GRAND RAPIDS - The Calvin College volleyball team defeated Trine University in
the semifinals of the MIAA Conference Tournament on Friday evening with scores
of 25-16, 25-17, 27-25. The Knights will play Hope College tomorrow for the
MIAA Tournament Championship. Calvin (27-2, 16-0) came out hot from the start,
hitting a .455 clip in its decisive first set victory.
 
The quick start and energy from the crowd set the tone for the rest of the
match. Although the Knights only hit .100 in the second set, they held Trine to
a mere .028 clip. The Thunder (19-12, 9-7) showed some fight in the final set,
pushing it to extra points before falling 27-25.
Calvin’s attack was led by sisters Lizzie and Maggie Kamp (Orland Park,
IL/Chicago Christian) with 15 kills each. Junior setter Megan Rietema (Grand
Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian) dished out 35 assists and defensive specialists
Kelly Gordon (Caledonia/South Christian) and Kristen Zietse (Grand Rapids/Grand
Rapids Christian) anchored the back row with 12 and 10 digs respectively.
“It always gets more intense once you get to the postseason because teams are
going to give you their best every single night“ said Calvin head coach Amber
Warners. “I think we stepped up and rose to the occasion.”
The Knights with play the fourth-ranked Flying Dutch of Hope College (27-3,
14-2) tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. in the MIAA Tournament Championship game.
The Flying Dutch took down Alma College in the other semi-final match in
straight sets with scores of 25-9, 25-18, 25-9.

MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SWIMMING AND DIVING
 
ALMA - The Calvin men's and women's swimming and diving teams picked up dual
meet victories at Alma Friday evening with the women's team winning 172-71 and
the men's team winning 145-77.
 
Individual Winners for the Calvin women included:
 
*Alex Dhaenens in the 1000 freestyle (11:37.06)
 
*Michaela Rookus in the 200 freestyle (1:59.90) and 100 backstroke (1:02.73)
 
*Margaret Rechel in the 50 freestyle (25.86)
*Samantha Klaasen on the one-meter board (265.00) and three-meter board
(277.40)
*Shelby Cloyd in the 100 butterfly (1:02.40)
*Betsy Otten in the 100 freestyle (57.08)
*Erika Waugh in the 500 freestyle (5:32.16)
 
*Alexi Scott in the 100 breaststroke (1:11.22)
 

Individual winners for the Calvin men included:
 
*Peter Johnson in the 1000 freestyle (10:40.78)
 
*Aaron Venema in the 200 freestyle (1:47.15)
 
*Caleb Meindertsma in the 400 IM (4:18.72)
 
*Jon Dennison on the one-meter board (236.70) and three-meter board (242.75)
 
*Andrew Mitchell in the 100 freestyle (48.85)
 
*Sam Allison in the 100 backstroke (57.37)
 
*Stephen Kraft in the 100 breaststroke (1:03.89)
 
Both Calvin teams travel to Wheaton on Saturday for 1 p.m. dual meets.
 
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Calvin 65, Ferris State 56
(Exhibition Game)
 
BIG RAPIDS - The Calvin women's basketball team picked up a 65-56 exhibition
game victory at Division II Ferris State University Friday night.
 
Senior Carissa Verkaik (Holland Christian HS) had 16 points, sophomore Kayla
Engelhard (Saginaw Valley Lutheran HS) 14 points and sophomore Breanna Verkaik
(Holland Christian HS) nine points to lead the Knights.
 
Calvin went 14-of-16 at the free throw line and pulled away over the final
four minutes by nailing eight free throws.
 
Calvin officially opens its season on November 16 against St. Thomas in a
tournament hosted by Millikin University.
Received on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 22:44:20 -0400