CALVIN KNIGHT SPORTS REPORT FOR SEPT. 6, 2017 (Part Two)
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Calvin 2, Kalamazoo 1
By Gina de Haan
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Calvin women's soccer team opened its MIAA season with a 2-1 home victory over the Kalamazoo Hornets on Wednesday evening. Junior Bekah Maguire (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian) scored the game-winning goal in the 79th minute to help the Knights maintain their perfect record.
The Knights were picked to finish third in the MIAA preseason coaches' poll, while Kalamazoo was picked to finish fourth.
Calvin entered the contest undefeated after posting a 2-0 record at the Milwaukee School of Engineering Invitational last weekend, earning wins over Lake Forest and MSOE.
In Wednesday's match, the Knights took an early 1-0 lead as junior Kali Mouw (Avon, N.Y., Avon Central) found the back of the net off a long lead chip by junior Emily Van Vliet (Grandville, Mich./Calvin Christian) in the second minute.
Despite trailing at the half, the Hornets held a 5-4 shots advantage.
Kalamazoo evened the score nine minutes into the second half when Josie Sibley capitalized off a feed from Madison Vallan, burying a shot from the left side of the box to the far post.
With 11:03 remaining, a cross in the box by Jessica Paulson (Plymouth, Mich./Plymouth Christian) gave junior Maguire a wide-open look and she capitalized for the game-winning goal.
The Hornets were awarded a free kick just outside of the box with three minutes remaining, but the following two shots were disallowed by the Knights and time expired.
Kalamazoo outshot the Knights 13-9 on the evening. Calvin goalkeeper Amy Kliewer (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Northern) made five saves in the victory.
"It was nice to get out early, although it can unsettle you something. Since the goal came quick, the tendency is to think that it's all going to come easy," said head coach Mark Recker. "After that, we kind of went flat. It's the first game with classes going on and we have a lot of freshman learning the ropes. But being able to keep pushing hard to get that go-ahead goal, like we did last weekend after giving up the tying goal, is part of the character that this team is forming."
The Knights continue into a busy stretch, during which they will play five games in the next 10 days, including four conference matches. This Saturday, Calvin hosts non-conference opponent Heidelberg at 3 p.m.
"We want to focus in on creating an imprint in our league, but we don't want to give the non-league games away either. We're trying to get people minutes, so we learn more about each and every player," says Recker.
VOLLEYBALL
Calvin 3, Olivet 0
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Calvin volleyball team opened MIAA action with a convincing 3-0 victory over Olivet on Wednesday evening. The victory moves Calvin to 5-0 on the year. The Comets fall to 0-5 in 2017 and 0-1 in the MIAA. Calvin has now won 45-straight MIAA matches. Calvin is now 81-2 all-time against Olivet.
"I am very proud of the team," said head coach Amber Warners. "It was nice to finally play at home in front of our fans. I am happy with how we responded and we will have to get ready for Friday."
The Knights and Comets started the first set exchanging the lead. Leading 12-11, Calvin would break the set open with a 12-1 run. A pair of kills from junior Anna Kamp (Orland Park, Ill./Chicago Christian) and a successful set-ending attack from senior Jenna Lodewyk (Villa Park, Ill./Timothy Christian) helped the Knights close out Olivet, 25-12. The Maroon and Gold hit .500 in the first set.
Calvin jumped out to an early 9-2 lead in set two. Anna Kamp had five kills in the Calvin run. The serve of senior Emily Blankespoor (Grand Rapids, Mich./South Christian) was too much for the Comets, as the Knights rang off eight-straight points to give Calvin a 24-8 lead. The Maroon and Gold took the set 25-10 with an Olivet serving error to close the set. Anna Kamp had 10 kills in the second set.
The Maroon and Gold took an early lead in set three and did not give it up. Leading 9-5, the serve of sophomore Sarah DeVries (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northpointe Christian) pushed the Calvin lead up to 16-5. DeVries tallied two service aces in the run and three in the set, including the final point of the match.
Anna Kamp led all players with 17 kills. The Knights hit a season-high .333 on Wednesday with Sarah DeVries posting a .566 hitting percentage with six kills, sophomore Ally Fea (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) hitting .600, with seven kills, and senior Tessa Van Laare (Toronto, Ont./Toronto District Christian) finishing at .833 and five kills. Sophomore Abby Gorter (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) had two kills on Wednesday, tying her career high. Ally Fea and freshman Sydney Segard (Hudsonville, Mich./Hudsonville) were a force at the net finishing with three and four blocks respectively. Jenna Lodewyk led the Knights with 10 digs and 32 assists. Emily Blankespoor and Sarah DeVries both tallied four service aces.
Calvin resumes MIAA action on Friday at Adrian.
Received on Wed Sep 6 22:14:21 2017
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