Box Score By Paul Kluitenberg
Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Knights had a strong afternoon on the court beating the Scots of Alma College in straight sets 25-16, 25-19, 25-11. The No. 4 ranked Knights improved their overall record to 24-3 and 14-0 in the MIAA. With the win, Calvin also clinches a share of the MIAA regular season title – its 21st in program history. The Knights also clinch the top seed for the upcoming MIAA Tournament.
Both teams looked evenly matched at the beginning of the first set. With the set tied at 8-8, Sophomore Jenna Lodewyk (Villa Park, Ill. / Timothy Christian) had a kill assisted by Keilahna Castillo (Grandville, Mich. / Grandville) that kick-started a 12-4 Knights run. Senior Jamie Kooiman (Eugene, Ore. / South Eugene) highlighted the run with a six serve streak including one ace. Laura Danhoff (Willard, Ohio / Willard) concluded the first set with two consecutive aces. The Knights finished the first set with a 12-7 kill advantage and five service aces.
The second set proved to be more of a challenge for Calvin. Alma held the lead through the first 13 points of the game keyed by four kills from Hannah Guilford (Hartland, Mich. / Hartland) and six errors by the Knights. Calvin responded with a six point run highlighted by two kills from Maggie Kamp (Orland Park, Ill. / Chicago Christian). The Knights eked out a 14-11 kill advantage and ended the set on an 8-5 run giving the Knights a 25-19 victory.
Calvin took the third and final set with ease, 25-11. Maggie Kamp put together six of the Knights 13 kills in the final set. The Knights played almost error free with only one attack error and one service error. A kill by Rachel Lubben (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Grand Rapids Christian) put the Knights up 15-8 and ended any hopes of victory for Alma. Calvin ended on a 10-3 run highlighted by an emphatic service ace from Kristen Vyletel (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Ann Arbor Huron).
The Knights tallied a total of 39 kills to Alma's 25. Maggie Kamp had 12 kills, followed by Laura Danhoff with 8, and Rachel Lubben with 7. Laura Danhoff turned in an impressive afternoon with 3 service aces and 2 solo blocks.
Calvin will return to action Friday, October 30 at Adrian College at 6:30 p.m.
