CALVIN KNIGHT SPORTS REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 1, 2017
VOLLEYBALL
SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- The No. 1 ranked Knights started the 2017 season with a pair of victories at the Trinity National Tournament on Friday. Calvin started the year with a 3-1 victory over No. 23 Wisconsin-Oshkosh and closed the day sweeping the No. 14 host Tigers of Trinity.
"I Think that we are a better team than we were at the beginning of the day," said head coach Dr. Amber Warners. "We played two really solid teams today. I feel that we have a complete team, but there are still some things that we can improve on. I am really happy with our performance and our unselfishness."
The Knights started Friday with a back and forth first set with the Titans. The two teams exchanged the lead multiple times until Calvin took the lead at 14-13. Leading 16-15, Calvin would close the set on a 9-3 run, with junior Anna Kamp (Orland Park, Ill./Chicago Christian) finishing the set with two service aces.
The two teams stayed close in the second set, with neither team being able to build a lead larger than two point. Tied at 20, Calvin took the next three points to finally get some separation. After a UWO point, the Maroon and Gold pushed forward with the serve of senior Emily Blankespoor (Grand Rapids, Mich./South Christian) and took the set, 25-21.
The Titans took an early lead in set three, jumping out of the gates to a 6-2 lead. Calvin would cut the lead to two points on three different occasions, but UW-Oshkosh would take the set, 25-22.
Calvin started off the fourth set hot and started with a 6-3 lead. UWO would chip away at the lead and build a 9-7 lead. With a pair of service aces from Emily Blankespoor, Calvin would take the lead at 11-10. The Knights would break an 11-11 tie with three-straight points. Leading 19-18, the Maroon and Gold would close the door with a 6-1 run to take the set 25-19 and the match, 3-1.
Anna Kamp finished with a game-high 19 kills, sophomore Sarah DeVries (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northpointe Christian) notched 11 kills. Freshman Courtney VanderHoning (Byron Center, Mich./South Christian) recorded her first kill at Calvin against the Titans. Senior Jenna Lodewyk (Villa Park, Ill./Timothy Christian) finished with 37 assists and junior Keilahna Castillo (Grandville, Mich./Grandville) had 13 digs. Jaimie Petrarca led the Knights with three blocks and Emily Blankespoor finished with four service aces.
Calvin closed the day with the host Tigers of Trinity.
The Maroon and Gold started game two on a 6-2 run behind the serve of Keilahna Castillo. The Tigers would scratch back to tie the set at nine. A kill from senior Tessa Van Laare (Toronto, Ont./Toronto District Christian) would break the tie and Calvin wouldn't give away the lead the rest of the set.
Calvin jumped on the Tigers early again in set two at 6-2. Trinity would fight back and cut the lead to 11-10, but the Knights flexed their muscles and rung off the next four points to nip the Trinity run. The Knights pushed the lead to six points at 23-17 and took the set 25-21.
Leading in the third set 4-3, Calvin sparked a 6-0 run with the serve of Jenna Lodewyk giving the Tigers trouble. The Knights led 19-14 before a pair of Trinity runs cut the lead to 20-18. Calvin would stop the slide and took the next three points and would take the set 25-21.
Anna Kamp had a game-high 14 kills and two service aces, while Sarah DeVries wrangled in nine kills. Jenna Lodewyk finished with 25 assists and Keilahna Castillo led the Knights with 13 digs.
Calvin closes the Trinity Invitational with No. 6 Cal Lutheran and Whitman on Saturday.
MEN'S SOCCER
Calvin 2, Ohio Wesleyan 1 (2OT)
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Over the years the Calvin/Ohio Wesleyan men's soccer rivalry has provided several thrilling matches. Friday's matchup in the first round of the Cal Bergsma Memorial Tournament provided more of the same as the second-ranked Knights secured a 2-1 double-overtime victory over the Battling Bishops in the season opener for both teams.
Junior Bobby McCaw (Dubuque, Ia./Hempstead HS) scored the game-winning goal with 9:19 left in the second overtime to lift the Knights to the win. McCaw's goal was set up by a curling cross into the box by senior Matt Hinds (Frankenmuth, Mich./Frankenmuth HS).
The assist was the second of the game for Hinds who earlier set up sophomore Jacob Lyon (Holt, Mich./Lansing Christian HS) for the go-ahead goal with just 8:55 left in regulation. Hinds served a ball to the far post that Lyon was able to redirect with a header to the opposite post to give Calvin a 1-0 lead.
Ohio Wesleyan stunned the Knights with an equalizer just over three minutes later as sophomore Ryan Roberts combined with Adam Yingling on a short corner. Roberts received a return bass from Yingling on the corner kick playe and lashed a bending shot just inside the far post and cross bar from 20 yards out with 5:22 left on the clock.
In the first overtime, Ohio Wesleyan nearly ended the game on a shot in close by David Robinett that flew just over the the bar.
Calvin gained possession early in the second overtime and moved the ball up the left wing to Hinds who then created the game-winning play to McCaw.
"It's (the game-winning goal) a product of what we try to do," said Calvin men's soccer coach Ryan Souders. "It was a great overlapping run by (Matt) Hinds. He served up a great ball and Bobby (McCaw) crashed the box like we tell our guys to do and he finished the play like we know he can do."
Although the scoring took place late, the game featured end-to-end action throughout with both teams threatening to score on several occassions.
In the 21st minute, Calvin senior Francisco Noyola (Lansing, Mich./Lansing Christian HS) hit the far post with a header off a deflected ball sent into the box. Four minutes later, Calvin sophomore Hunter Olsen (Canton, Mich./Canton HS) broke free through the right side of the box and chipped a shot to the far post that Ohio Wesleyan goalkeeper Michael Heeschen deflected away with a leaping off-balance stab while charging out of the box.
Ohio Wesleyan outshot Calvin 6-4 in the first half however and cranked up the pressure early in the second half, forcing Calvin senior goalkeeper Nate Van Ryn (Grandville, Mich./Calvin Christian HS) three saves in the opening five minutes including a point-blank stop on a shot by Jarrod Ferstl.
McCaw nearly scored in the 51st minute as he beat Heeschen with a move through the left side of the box but hit the far post on a shot from a sharp angle that kept the score level.
Calvin finished the game with a 9-4 edge in corner kicks and the go-ahead sequence leading to Lyon's goal was initiated by a corner kick sequence led by Hinds.
The Knights finished with a 13-12 shots at goal advantage with Van Ryn and Heeschen posting three saves apiece.
The contest marked the second time Calvin has defeated Ohio Wesleyan 2-1 in overtime in the first round of the Cal Bergsma Memorial Tournament as the Knights also defeated the Battling Bishops 2-1 in overtime in 2014 on a goal by Stephan Hooker.
Combined, the two teams are now 3-3-1 against each other over their last seven meetings. A year ago, the Battling Bishops edged Calvin 2-1 in Ohio Wesleyan's own Fred Myers Invitational.
"I'm relieved. That was a great battle," said Souders. "It's been a one-goal game nearly every time we have played them. We respect Ohio Wesleyan's program immensely. To come away with a win today, especially after giving up a lead late in the game is a real credit to our guys."
Calvin will now prepare to face Lake Forest College which fell to Hope 1-0 Friday night in the other first round game of the Cal Bergsma Memorial Tournament. The Foresters are the defending regular season champions of the Midwest Conference.
Souders is hopeful that Friday's win will help push Calvin forward. "Its great to get the train rolling with a win," he said. "We certainly have to improve but hopefully this energizes us and helps propel us forward. We know that Lake Forest will come here tomorrow with a lot of energy and determination. We will have to bring our top effort and be prepared to match the intensity Lake Forest brings."
Saturday's game at Zuidema Field is set to begin at 2:30 p.m.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Calvin 3, Lake Forest 0
MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The Calvin women's soccer team opened the 2017 season with a 3-0 victory over Lake Forest. The Knights are participating in the two-day MSOE Invitational.
"Great effort by all after being challenged to do so," said head coach Mark Recker. "They played consistent soccer for 90 minutes, creating numerous opportunities. We had a really good beginning and this is something we can build on."
Junior Kali Mouw (Avon, N.Y./Avon Central) earned the rights to the first goal of the season on Friday. Five minutes into the match, Mouw received a pass from senior Sydney Barcey (Cadillac, Mich./Cadillac) and found the back of the net to put Calvin on the scoreboard. Her goal was her third at Calvin.
In the 34th minute, Freshman Emily Orr (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) scored her first colligate goal off a rebound. Junior McKenna Nesky (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) was credited with an assist.
The Maroon and Gold would go into halftime leading, 2-0.
Senior Camie Rietberg (Wyoming, Mich./Calvin Christian) closed the scoring in the 84th minute to put the match away. The goal was her first goal since 2015.
Freshman Amy Kliewer (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Northern) posted a shutout in first game at Calvin. Kliewer notched four saves in the victory.
Freshman Nicole Hale (Colorado Springs, Colo./The Classical Academy) and Freshman Maria VanderLei (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) both finished with a team-high three shots on Friday.
The Knights will return to action on Saturday when they face the host Raiders at the MSOE Invitational.
WOMEN'S GOLF
BRISTOL, Wis. -- The Calvin women's golf team opened the 2017 season at the Battle on the Border Tournament in Wisconsin on Friday. The Knights stand in 14th place after the first of two days at 367 strokes. Wisconsin-Whitewater leads with 332 strokes.
The Knights were led by junior Nicole VanderYacht (Kentwood, Mich./South Christian) who shot a round of 87 on Friday and is in 27th place.
Tied for 51st place is sophomore Jessica Zylstra (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northpointe Christian) and junior Katy Hamilton (Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central), who recorded a round of 92.
Senior Gen Best (Brighton, Mich./Brighton) notched a round of 96 to sit in 73rd place.
The Knights return to the course on Saturday morning.
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
The Calvin men's cross country team is ranked 8th in the first Division III preseason national poll released by the United States Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association.
2017 USTFCCCA Division III Preseason National Women's Cross Country Poll
Under the direction of head coach Brian Diemer, the Knights are also ranked number-one in the USTFCCCA Division III Great Lakes Regional poll.
A year ago, Calvin took second in the MIAA and then won the Great Lakes Regional crown.
The Knights placed 9th at the NCAA III Championships.
Calvin will be led this year by senior Hope Gaffner (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian HS) and junior Katie Diekema (Kenmore, Wash./Ingelmoor HS). Diekema was Calvin's top finisher at the national meet last fall, placing 56th individually.
Calvin's varsity team is scheduled to open its season on September 9 when it hosts its own Knight Invitational.
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
The Calvin men's cross country team is ranked 15th in the first Division III preseason national poll released by the United States Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association.
2017 USTFCCCA Division III Preseason National Poll
Under the direction of head coach Brian Diemer, the Knights are also ranked number-one in the USTFCCCA Division III Great Lakes Regional poll.
A year ago, Calvin captured its 30th consecutive MIAA title and claimed its first Great Lakes Regional crown since 2012.
The Knights placed 19th at the NCAA III Championships.
Calvin returns four individuals that were named to the 2016 Great Lakes All-Region cross country team in seniors Mark DeJong (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) and Andrew Philipose (Mount Prospect, Il./John Hersey HS) and juniors Nathanel Dick (Grand Rapids, Mich./Home Schooled) and Jamison Koeman (Milford, Mass./Whitinsville Christian HS).
Calvin's varsity team is scheduled to open its season on September 9 when it hosts its own Knight Invitational.
Received on Fri Sep 1 23:50:37 2017
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