CALVIN KNIGHT WEEKEND SPORTS WRAP FOR SEPT. 25, 2016
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
ALMA, Mich. - The 15th-ranked Calvin men's cross country team was nearly perfect on Saturday morning at the MIAA Jamboree as the Knights took five of the top seven spots for a first place score of 18 points. Saturday's 8K race was held at the Pine River Country Club with Alma College serving as host.
Calvin dominated the competition as Albion took second with 72 points followed by Hope in third with 96 points.
Senior Zac Nowicki (Comstock Park, Mich./Calvin Christian HS) led a 1-2-3 Calvin finish as he took first place in a time of 25:22. Junior Mark DeJong (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) was second (25:29) and senior Jordan Kramer (Pewaukee, Wisc./Lake Country Lutheran HS) third (25:34).
Junior Andrew Philipose (Mount Prospect, Il./Mount Prospect HS) was fifth (25:46) and sophomore Jamison Koeman (Milford, Mass./Whitinsville Christian HS) seventh (25:48).
Calvin's top seven was rounded out by sophomore Andrew Dick (Grand Rapids, Mich./Home Schooled) in ninth (26:05) and senior Nathan VanHaitsma (Olympia, Wash./Olympia HS) in 10th (26:06).
"Our guys ran as a team today and that's a trait that this group has really developed this year," said Calvin head cross country coach Brian Diemer. "Our victory today was spurred on by performances right on through the ranks. Our guys in the back were pushing their teammates up front. The enthusiasm and energy with our guys was terrific."
A key part in the race came at the 8K mark according to Diemer as Nowicki broke away from the lead pack. "When Zac made that move, it pushed the tempo of the race and that was to our team's benefit," said Diemer. "This race provided another big confidence boost for our team. Our guys are starting to believe and that's exciting because we have several big races ahead of us."
Calvin's next big race will come next Friday when it competes at the prestigious Notre Dame Invitational.
MIAA MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY JAMBOREE TEAM SCORES
Calvin 18
Albion 72
Hope 96
Trine 100
Adrian 137
Kalamazoo 173
Olivet 197
Alma 199
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
ALMA, Mich. - A pack of determined Knights proved to be too much for the rest of the MIAA to overcome on Saturday morning as the ninth-ranked Calvin women's cross country team claimed first place at the league jamboree at Alma's Pine River Country Club.
Calvin took five of the top eight spots in the MIAA Jamboree as the Knights posted a team score of 29 points, 18 points ahead of 15th-ranked Hope.
Senior Lauren Strohbehn (Stillwater, Mn./St. Croix Preparatory HS) was the top finisher for the Calvin women, placing third individually with a time of 21:40. Freshman Johanna Admiraal (Cincinnati, Oh./Towson HS) also sparkled in her first conference competition, placing fifth in a time of 22:00.
Senior McKenzie Diemer (Caledonia, Mich./South Christian HS) was closed behind in sixth (22:20) while junior Cassie Vince (Amherst, Oh./Marion L. Steele HS) was seventh (22:24), sophomore Katie Diekema (Kenmore, Wash./Inglemoor HS) eighth (22:33), freshman Kristen Lundberg (Albuquerque NM/Hope Christian HS) 14th (23:05) and junior Catherine Croft (Grand Rapids, Mich./Coopersville HS) 16th (23:07) to round out Calvin's top seven.
Erin Herrmann of Hope won the race in a time of 21:21 while Kaitlyn Arnold of Alma was second (21:25). Jessica Shaw of Albion was also able to take a small bite out of Calvin's tight pack by finishing fourth in 21:52.
"I was extremely pleased and encouraged with the way we ran today," said Calvin head cross country coach Brian Diemer. "We were nursing a few injuries and illnesses but our women supported one another throughout the race. When people needed help we had teammates moving up or sliding back to support them. That type of investment builds trust in one another and will pay dividends when we get in the final few weeks of the season."
Diemer also commented on the high caliber of competition at the front of the MIAA pack. "I'm not sure I have ever seen so many national caliber runners in our league up front the way I did today," said Diemer. "That's exciting for our league because it pushes everyone to be better and fans are able to see some tremendous competition."
According to Diemer, momentum for Calvin's season continues to build. "The atmosphere with this team is extremely positive," he said. "The women are having fun and have built a tight bond with each other. Everything is pointed in the right direction and we looking forward to continuing this amazing journey."
Calvin returns to action next Friday when it competes at the prestigious Notre Dame Invitational.
MIAA WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY JAMBOREE TEAM SCORES
Calvin 29
Hope 47
Albion 94
Alma 123
Trine 134
Saint Mary's 147
Adrian 182
Olivet 236
Kalamazoo 267
WOMEN'S GOLF
GRANGER, Ind. - The Calvin women's golf team took fifth at an MIAA Jamboree hosted by Saint Mary's College Saturday afternoon, posting a team score of 370 strokes. Saturday's MIAA Jamboree was the second of the year in league competition.
On Saturday, Calvin finished seven strokes back of fourth place Trine and three strokes ahead of sixth place Alma.
Calvin is in sixth place in the overall team standings but is just four strokes behind Alma and seven strokes behind Trine.
Junior Emilee McCusker (Hayward, Wisc./Hayward HS) had a huge afternoon for Calvin, firing a round of 80 that was good for third place individually. Sophomore Nicole VanderYacht (Kentwood, Mich./South Christian HS) had Calvin's second-best performance of the afternoon with a round of 94.
Sophomore Grace Bolt (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) had a 95. Freshman Jessica Zylstra (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northpointe Christian HS) came in at 101 while senior Amira Bousaab (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northpointe Christian HS) had a 108.
Saint Mary's took first place on Saturday with a team score of 332. Taylor Kehoe of Saint Mary's was the tournament medalist with a 77.
Calvin is back in action next Tuesday when it competes at an MIAA Jamboree hosted by Hope at the Ravines Golf Club. First tee is set for 1 p.m.
MIAA WOMEN'S GOLF OVERALL TEAM STANDINGS THROUGH 9-24-16
Hope 641
Saint Mary's 652
Olivet 675
Trine 716
Alma 719
Calvin 723
Albion 743
Adrian 746
MEN'S SOCCER
Calvin 7, Olivet 0
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The 15th-ranked Calvin men's soccer team pitched a 7-0 shutout over visiting Olivet on a sun-splashed homecoming Saturday afternoon at Zuidema Field.
Calvin is now 7-1-0 overall and more importantly 4-0-0 in league play, putting the Knights three points clear of second place Albion and five points ahead of third place Alma.
Calvin led 2-0 at halftime on the strength of first half goals by sophomore Jacob Witte (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) and junior Mitch Stark (South Lyon, Mich./South Lyon HS).
Witte scored in the eighth minute of play on a rush from the left wing that resulted in a shot just inside the far post. Stark was able to score in the 14th minute on a breakaway into the box after receiving a long-range serve from sophomore Trent Vegter (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian HS).
The Knights then exploded for five second half goals including three in an eight-minute span to seal the win.
Sophomore Bobby McCaw (Dubuque, IA/Hempstead HS), Vegter, senior Stephan Hooker (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian HS), sophomore Reid Culberson (Elgin, Il./Wheaton Academy) and sophomore Micah Beard (Otsego, Mich./Otsego HS) all scored for the Knights in the second half. Vegter, Stark, junior Matt Hinds (Frankenmuth, Mich./Frankenmuth HS) and freshmen Ben Mast (Grand Haven, Mich./Spring Lake HS) and Dillon Weldy (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) all collected assists with Mast chalking up two assists.
Junior Nate Van Ryn (Grandville, Mich./Calvin Christian HS) and sophomore Luke Schepers (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian HS) combined on the shutout in goal for Calvin. Van Ryn had a pair of saves while lowering his season goals-against-average to 0.52.
"It was a good result at home on homecoming. That's about as good of an afternoon that you can ask for," said Calvin men's soccer coach Ryan Souders. "We had a great crowd of alumni here to support us and it made for a fun atmosphere for our team. Now our attention turns to a very good Alma team which is always difficult to play on the road."
Calvin finished Saturday's game with a 35-2 shots at goal advantage. The Knights return to action next Tuesday, traveling to Alma for a 4 p.m. at Scotland Yard. The game will feature of rematch of last year's MIAA Tournament championship final.
MIAA MEN'S SOCCER STANDINGS THROUGH 9-24-16 GAMES
Calvin 4-0-0
Albion 3-1-0
Alma 2-1-1
Adrian 2-2-0
Kalamazoo 1-1-2
Olivet 1-2-1
Hope 1-3-0
Trine 0-4-0
WOMEN' S SOCCER
Calvin 2, Alma 2 (2OT)
ALMA, Mich. - The Calvin women's soccer team rallied from two down to tie Alma on Saturday afternoon, 2-2. The tie moves Calvin to 5-3-1 and 4-1-1 in the MIAA.
Alma took an early 2-0 lead on Saturday with a pair of goals from Whitnee Foote.
Junior Sydney Barcey (Cadillac, Mich./Cadillac) put Calvin on the scoreboard in the 25th minute, for her first goal of the season.
Senior Allie Corp (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson) tied the game in the 80th minute from a pass from senior Brianna Russell (Plainwell, Mich./Delton-Kellogg).
Sophomore Brianna Koehn (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forrest Hills Eastern) recorded seven saves in the tie.
Senior Carly Veenstra (North Haledon, N.J./Eastern Christian) had a team-high three shots.
Calvin outshot Alma, 20-17.
The Knights return to action on Tuesday when they host Wheaton.
MIAA WOMEN'S SOCCER STANDINGS THROUGH 9-24-16 GAMES
Hope 5-0-2
Kalamazoo 5-0-1
Calvin 4-1-1
Olivet 3-2-1
Alma 2-2-2
Albion 2-4-0
Trine 2-5-0
Adrian 1-4-1
Saint Mary's 0-6-0
VOLLEYBALL
Calvin 3, Alma 1
ALMA, Mich. - The No. 1 Calvin volleyball team rallied on Saturday afternoon to defeats the Alma Scots, 3-1. The Knights remain perfect on the year at 12-0 and 6-0 in MIAA play, Alma falls to 6-6 and 2-5 in MIAA action. Calvin has now won 20-straight road matches.
"I am really proud of how we fought back today," said head coach Amber Warners. "Alma is a very good team and they battled hard today. I want to also thank the cross country teams for coming out and supporting us, they really helped us today."
The first set saw the Knights drop a set to an MIAA opponent for the first time since Oct. 23, 2015 at Albion. The Scots ended the set on a 7-0 run behind the serve of senior Marissa Miller to take the set, 25-21.
Calvin would close the door on the Scots early in the second set, pushing the lead to 7-2 and 14-5. The Knights would extend the lead to 18-8 behind the serve of junior Jenna Lodewyk (Villa Park, Ill./Timothy Christian). Calvin would take the set 25-15.
The Knights would rally back to take the third set on Saturday. After trailing 14-10, the serve of Kristen Vyletel (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron) proved to be too much for the Scots to handle and the Knights would ride a 6-0 run to tack the lead back at 16-14. Calvin would not trail the rest of the set and would win, 25-20.
The serve of Kristen Vyletel would help Calvin jump out to a 7-2 lead in set four. After leading, 11-5, Alma would cut the lead in half to 11-8. The Knights continued to hold the lead the rest of the set. Leading, 23-12, senior Laura Danhoff (Willard, Ohio/Willard) would give Calvin a two-point lead and an attacking error for the Scots would seal the deal for a 25-21 victory.
Laura Danhoff had a game-high 19 kills on Saturday and Anna Kamp notched 16 kills on the win. Freshman Ally Fea (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) tied her career-high with four kills. Junior Emily Blankespoor (Grand Rapids, Mich./South Christian) had a game-high 14 digs and four aces. Freshman Sarah DeVries (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northpointe Christian) and three total blocks.
The Knights return to action on Wednesday when they renew the rivalry in Holland, Michigan, against Hope.
MIAA VOLLEYBALL STANDINGS THROUGH 9-24-16
Calvin 6-0
Hope 6-0
Adrian 4-2
Saint Mary's 3-3
Albion 2-4
Olivet 2-4
Alma 2-5
Trine 2-5
Kalamazoo 1-5
MEN'S TENNIS
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Calvin men's tennis team competed at the Oracle ITA Division III Men's Central Regional Championship in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
"Very proud of the way our guys competed," said head coach John Ross. "We are now aware of what we need to do to reach our goals for the spring."
Senior Taylor Asfour (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) lost to Daniel Rodefeld of DePauw 1-6, 3-6, he then defeated Jack O'Koniewski of Denison, 4-1. Asfour was then defeated by Stephen Gruppuso of Oberlin, 1-6, 2-6.
Senior Anthony Vroon (Grand Rapids, Mich./South Christian) fell to Matthew Quammen of DePauw, 1-5, 5-7 and Nathan Katz of Baldwin Wallace, 3-6, 4-6.
Freshman Rodrigo Castellanos (Felipe Palazon, Bolivia) was edged by Nick Sicilliano of John Caroll, 2-6, 3-6 and defeated Victor Krueger of North Central, 1-6, 6-1, 10-2. He was then edged by Adarsh Singh of Earlham, 2-6, 5-7.
Junior David Brown (Lake Zurich, Ill./Lake Zurich) and Owen Brookhouse were topped by Daniel Henry and Allen Vinson of Kalamazoo, 1-8. They then fell to John Carroll's Garcia and Iha, 6-8.
Today concluded the fall season for the Knights.
Received on Sun Sep 25 23:16:43 2016
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.8 : Sun Sep 25 2016 - 23:16:43 EDT