GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Calvin volleyball improved to 15-3 on Friday, defeating the Belles of Saint Mary's 3-0. Calvin defeated the Belles, 25-22, 25-14 and 25-15. The Knights are now 9-0 in MIAA play, Saint Mary's falls to 11-9 and 4-5 in the conference.

"I was really happy with our mentality and the way we came out," said head coach Amber Warners. "I think it was a telling sign of how confident the players are in themselves and with each other. The coaching staff can tell them how much they believe in them, but they have to be the ones to do that. I think that was a very pivotal moment in our season for them for showing our grit and showing we are more than a one person team."

The Knights and Belles went down to the wire in the first set, with the teams tied at seven, the Belles went on a 3-1 run. Calvin would counter with a 3-1 run of their own to tie the set at 11, behind kills from sophomore Jenna Lodewyk (Villa Park, Ill./Timothy Christian) and freshman Anna Kamp (Orland Park, Ill./Chicago Christian). With Saint Mary's leading, 17-15, Calvin would go on a 4-0 run behind the serve of senior Jamie Kooiman (Eugene, Ore./South Eugene) from where the Knights would not look back. Sophomore Alyssa Scholten (Byron Center, Mich./South Christian) put the set away with a kill, 25-22.

The Knights started off hot in the second set, taking an early 11-3 lead. Calvin kept its foot on the pedal, taking the set, 25-14. The Knights hit .375 in the second set, led by junior Laura Danhoff (Willard, Ohio/Willard) who had seven kills in the set. Calvin would go on to take the second set, 25-14.

With the third set tied at two, the Knights would go on a 6-0 run behind the serve of freshman Keilahna Castillo (Grandville, Mich./Grandville), anchored by two kills by Danhoff, to give the Knights an 8-2 lead. With Calvin leading 10-4, the Knights would go on a 9-2 run to put the set out of reach. The Knights would go on to take the set 25-15.

Laura Danhoff recorded 17 kills on Friday night, tying her career high and is her season high. Danhoff hit .538 on Friday night. Danhoff also tallied one ace, four digs and got her hands on five blocks for 2.5 blocks on the night.

"What I loved is that you have one of your upperclassmen leaders rise to the challenge," said Warners. "Instead of being down for a teammate, she said she was going to help the cause and help the team do whatever it takes. She came with a very positive energy and a positive grit as far as 'I want this challenge.'"

Anna Kamp finished Friday with 11 kills, senior Rachel Lubben (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) with six kills and sophomore Tessa Van Laare (Toronto, Ontario/Toronto District Christian) with four. Jenna Lodewyk recorded 32 assists on the night, with 12 digs. Keilahna Castillo also had 12 digs on Friday evening. Sophomore Kristen Vyletel (Ann Arbor, Mich./Ann Arbor Huron) had two aces on the night.

Calvin returns to action on Saturday as the Knights travel to Kalamazoo to face the Hornets.