CALVIN KNIGHT WEEKEND SPORTS WRAP FOR OCT. 29, 2017
MEN'S BASKETBALL
The Calvin men's basketball team will face Davenport University in an exhibition game The Calvin men's basketball team will face Davenport University in a charity exhibition game on Monday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. at DeVos Fieldhouse on the campus of Hope College. The exhibition game will be the first half of a Monday night doubleheader with Hope hosting Grand Valley State in the game to follow at 8 p.m.
The charity exhibition doubleheader will help to benefit the American Red Cross hurricane relief efforts.
Tickets will be good for both games. Tickets will be $10.00 for adults and seniors and $5.00 for all students. There will be a $25.00 maximum charge for families.
Tickets will be on sale again Monday morning at the Hope College Ticket Office, 100 East Eighth Street.
Tickets can be purchased during regular business hours in person at the ticket office or by calling (616) 395-7890. There will be no online sales.
Tickets also can be purchased prior to the game at DeVos Fieldhouse. Doors will open at 5 p.m.
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
ADRIAN, Mich. - The Calvin men's cross country team wrapped up its 31st consecutive MIAA title on Saturday, posting a team score of 22 points at the MIAA Championships hosted by Adrian College at the Raisin Valley Golf Club.
Calvin took seven of the top nine spots to cruise to the win on Saturday with senior Mark DeJong (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) leading the way with a first place time of 24:15 on the 8K course.
Saturday's competition featured decidedly different weather conditions from the first MIAA competition of the year when the MIAA Jamboree was held on September 23 at Hope College in temperatures hovering near 90 degrees. Saturday's race took place in cool brisk conditions with temps in the low 40's.
Like the MIAA Jamboree in September however, the trio of DeJong, Albion sophomore Andrew Bill and Calvin senior Andrew Philipose (Mount Prospect, Il./John Hersey HS) ran to the front of the pack.
DeJong gained separation from Bill with just over a mile to go and finished six seconds ahead of Bill. Philipose was eight seconds behind Bill in a third place time of 24:29.
Lewis Duke of Trine was fourth but from there on it was a sea of Maroon and Gold as the Knights took the next five spots including seven of the next nine.
Sophomore Tyler Johnson (Springfield, Il./Pleasant Plains HS) was fifth in 24:41 and senior Andrew Rylaarsdam (Grandville, Mich./Calvin Christian HS) sixth in 24:51.
Freshman Justin Varineau (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) placed seventh (24:53), junior Nathanael Dick (Grand Rapids, Mich./Home Schooled) eighth (24:54), sophomore Caleb Ferguson (Naperville, Il./Neuqua Valley HS) ninth (24:56), sophomore Addison Smith (Seoul, South Korea/Seoul International School) 12th (25:09), freshman Jonathan Ellis (Baltimore, Md./Towson HS) 13th (25:15) and junior Jamison Koeman (Whitinsville, Mass./Whitinsville Christian HS) 15th (25:20).
Calvin's performance featured a tight pack of runners as just 41 seconds separated Calvin's first and seventh finisher.
DeJong was named the MIAA's Most Valuable Runner and landed a spot on the All-MIAA first team for the second straight year. Philipose, Johnson, Rylaarsdam, Varineau and Dick also earned spots on the All-MIAA first team. Philipose and Dick repeated as All-MIAA first team honorees.
Ferguson, Koeman, Smith and Ellis landed spots on the All-MIAA second team.
"I thought Mark DeJong ran the finest race of his career," said Calvin head cross country coach Brian Diemer. "We told him that he needed to stay with (Andrew) Bill as long as possible and if he did, he would have a chance to make a run for the win. Mark showed great moxie in following the game plan and then showing heart and determination to run for the win. We are all very proud of him. He's been a great leader this year and he led by example today."
Diemer was also pleased with the pack running displayed by the Knights. "We took 10 out of the top 15 spots and we did that by working together," said Diemer. "It's very pleasing for a coach to see. I thought Andrew Rylaarsdam played another key role in our pack today. He ran strong and led our second group that came in behind DeJong and Philipose. We had a very strong performance today. We have some things still to fine tune but we are in a good place. We never take winning a conference championship lightly. It's a special honor to attain and I am proud of our guys for running the way they did today."
Calvin will now prepare for the upcoming NCAA III Great Lakes Regional competition scheduled to take place on November 11 at Ohio Wesleyan University.
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
ADRIAN, Mich. - The Calvin women's cross country team took second at the MIAA Cross Country Championships hosted by Adrian College at the Raisin Valley Golf Club Saturday afternoon.
The Knights posted a team score of 66 points. It marked the third consecutive year Calvin has finished as conference runners-up.
Calvin's top finisher was senior Kate McLain (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian HS) who placed seventh with a time of 22:26 on the 6K course.
Senior Marissa McGahan (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS) was 11th (22:35) and senior Hope Gaffner (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian HS) 15th (22:41).
Sophomore Michelle Koetje (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) was 16th (22:42) and sophomore Sarah Ball (Lynden, Wash./Lynden Christian HS) 17th (22:51).
Rounding out Calvin's top seven were junior Katie Diekema (Kenmore, Wash./Ingelmoor HS) in 20th (22:56) and junior Breanna Kooiman (Tinley Park, Il./Chicago Christian HS) in 21st (22:51).
Hope captured the MIAA title with a team score of 20 points. Alex Guttilla of Hope took first place individually on Saturday with a time of 21:58.
Kate McLain earned a spot on the All-MIAA first team. McGahan, Diekema and Koetje landed spots on the All-MIAA second team.
"I though Kate McLain might have had her finest cross country race," said Calvin head cross country coach Brian Diemer. "She ran free and confidently. There was a lot of joy in the way she performed which was wonderful to see. We have fought through some injuries this year and that hurt us a bit today but at the same time I want to congratulate Hope on a fine performance. They had a strong game plan, executed it well and finished strong. They are worthy champions and I congratulate them on their race."
Diemer said the team will now focus on the upcoming NCAA III Great Lakes Regional race in two weeks. "We have some time to regroup and refocus," said Diemer. "It's up to the team to decide where they want the next few weeks of the season to go. We have the ability to do some good things yet this season. We just have to prepare and be ready to go for it when our next race arrives."
Calvin will compete at the Great Lakes Regional meet on November 11 with Ohio Wesleyan University serving as host.
MEN'S SOCCER
Calvin 4, Albion 0
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The No. 1 ranked Calvin men's soccer finished the regular season with a MIAA match against Albion on Senior Night. The Knights walked away with a 4-0 victory on a cold and wet Saturday night.
"I am really pleased with how we played tonight," said head coach Ryan Souders. "It is great to get a result on senior night. We are excited to host Trine on Wednesday."
With the victory, Calvin finishes the regular season with a 17-0-1 record and a first-place finish in the MIAA at 13-0-1. With the loss, Albion's bid for the final spot in the MIAA Tournament came up short at 6-8-4 and 3-8-3 in the MIAA.
The Knights opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Sophomore Jacob Lyon (Holt, Mich./Lansing Christian) scored on a header from the right side of the box off a free kick from senior Matt Hinds (Frankenmuth, Mich./Frankenmuth).
Freshman Shaeffer Smith (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Christian) struck in the 42nd minute to give the Knights a 2-0 lead. Smith headed the ball in off a cross in the box from the left side from senior Micah Beard (Otsego, Mich./Otsego).
The Maroon and Gold headed into halftime with a 2-0 lead. At halftime, the men's soccer team celebrated senior day and the seven Calvin seniors in Micah Beard, Lyall Blanche, Matt Hinds, Francisco Jay Noyola, Mitch Stark, Derek Williams and Nate Van Ryn. The Calvin men's soccer senior class has recorded 82 games and three trips to the NCAA Tournament.
"This is a great group of guys," said head coach Ryan Souders. "They have played a key role in the success that the program has had. I am very thankful for each one of them."
Sophomore Hunter Olson (Canton, Mich./Canton) scored in the 53rd minute on a deflection in the box off a header by junior Trent Vegter (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian).
Junior Bobby McCaw (Dubuque, Iowa/Hempstead) tallied his league-leading 18th goal of the season in the 59th minute. McCaw headed the ball to the top right corner off a corner kick from Hunter Olson.
Senior Nate Van Ryn (Grandville, Mich./Calvin Christian) posted his 12 shutout of the season with three saves.
Calvin outshot Albion on Saturday, 13-3.
The Knights open postseason play on Wednesday at Zuidema Field against Trine.
MIAA MEN'S SOCCER TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS
SEMIFINALS - Nov. 1, 2017
#4 Trine (5-6-6) at #1 Calvin (17-0-1) at 7 p.m.
#3 Hope (7-9-2) at #2 Adrian (10-5-2) at 7 p.m.
FINALS - Nov. 4, 2017 at site of highest remaining seed
FINAL MIAA MEN'S SOCCER REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS
Calvin 13-0-1 (40 points)
Adrian 9-3-2 (29 points)
Kalamazoo 7-6-1 (22 points) - Kalamazoo ineligible for MIAA Tournament play
Hope 6-6-2 (20 points)
Trine 3-6-5 (14 points)
Albion 3-8-3 (12 points)
Alma 3-8-3 (12 points)
Olivet 1-8-5 (8 points)
VOLLEYBALL
Calvin 3, Trine 0
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The No. 4 ranked Calvin volleyball team claimed a 3-0 victory over Trine on Saturday afternoon to complete the MIAA regular season undefeated. The Knights will head into postseason play at 24-3 overall and a perfect 16-0 conference record.
Last Tuesday, the Knights clinched the MIAA regular season title outright with a 3-0 victory over rival Hope College. On Friday night, the Knights swept Albion on the road.
Calvin is the first team in MIAA history to go undefeated in regular season conference play for three consecutive seasons.
"I'm really happy with where we are. We still can improve in several areas, but I really like how our team is coming together," said head coach Dr. Amber Warners. "Hopefully we will start peaking at the right team."
In the first set, the Knights strung together nine straight points to pull ahead after an early 3-3 tie. Trine chipped away at Calvin's lead, outscoring the Knights 11-5. Calvin called timeout, the scoreboard reading 17-14 in favor of the home team. Behind the serve of senior Emily Blankespoor (Grand Rapids, Mich./South Christian), the Knights scored four straight points to increase their lead to seven. After back-and-forth scoring, Calvin claimed a 25-17 set-one victory.
Junior Anna Kamp (Orland Park, Ill./Chicago Christian) logged three kills set one, reaching the 1000th collegiate kill milestone.
The two teams exchanged points early in set two. The Knights began to pull ahead, earning four straight points to gain a 15-9 advantage. Kamp and senior Tessa Van Laare (Toronto, Ontario/Toronto District Christian) contributed two kills apiece to help Calvin earn a 20-12 lead. Despite a resilient effort by the Thunder late in the set, a service ace by sophomore Sarah DeVries (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northpointe Christian) lifted the Knights to a 25-17 win.
Calvin's continued to roll in the third set. Behind the serve of junior Keilahna Castillo (Grandville, Mich./Grandville), the Knights went on a 7-0 run to earn an early 12-5 advantage. Castillo contributed three service aces to the scoring effort. Four straight points gave the Knights a 10-point advantage and forced a Trine timeout. The Thunder were unable to recover from the deficit and the Knights cruised to a 25-14 set-three victory to claim the match.
Anna Kamp led all players with 13 kills. Sarah DeVries had a solid all-around game, finishing with 10 kills, eight digs and three service aces. Senior setter Jenna Lodewyk (Villa Park, Ill./Timothy Christian) dished out 30 assists in the win, also contributing nine digs and five kills. Keilahna Castillo and Emily Blankespoor were solid in the back row for the Knights, posting 14 and 10 digs, respectively. Lodewyk and sophomore Ally Fea (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) were strong at the net, finishing with five block assists apiece.
Saturday's match served as Calvin's senior game, recognizing Emily Blankespoor, Tessa Van Laare, Jenna Lodewyk, Megan Van Solkema and Kristen Vyletel. The senior class boasts a 118-12 career record, including a 63-1 MIAA mark and 57-3 record at Van Noord Arena. Calvin's seniors also have notched 35-straight road wins for a 40-2 overall road record.
"I think that the seniors' record is phenomenal and it speaks so highly of what these girls have done. But what people don't see is all the time our seniors have invested behind the scenes - keeping what we stand for as a program intact," said Dr. Warners. "We talk about being inheritors and being builders, and this group has certainly become builders in their four years. I appreciate their effort and love for this program."
Calvin is back in action on Friday, as the Knights begin postseason play. The top-seeded Knights will face fourth-seeded Albion (14-13, 8-7 MIAA) in the MIAA Tournament Semifinals. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at Van Noord Arena.
MIAA TOURNAMENT PAIRINGS
SEMIFINALS - NOV. 3, 2017 - at Van Noord Arena
#3 Saint Mary's (15-9) vs #2 Hope (18-10) at 5 p.m.
#4 Albion (14-14) vs #1 Calvin (24-3) at 7:30 p.m.
MIAA TOURNAMENT FINALS - Nov. 4, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. at Van Noord Arena
FINAL MIAA VOLLEYBALL REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS
Calvin 16-0
Hope 12-4
Saint Mary's 10-6
Albion 8-8 (Albion wins tiebreaker over Trine for MIAA Tournament spot)
Trine 8-8
Adrian 6-10
Alma 5-11
Kalamazoo 4-12
Olivet 3-13
Received on Sun Oct 29 23:18:23 2017
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