GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Calvin women's tennis started the MIAA portion of the schedule with a sweep over the Alma Scots. The Knights defeated Alma on Saturday 9-0. Calvin is now 8-3 and 1-0 in the MIAA and Alma falls to 3-6 and 0-1 in the MIAA.

"That was a great win for us," said Calvin head coach Kevin VanHaitsma. "We had some really impressive performances today in singles and doubles. Ellie Benzel played an amazing match at No. 1 singles today. Today was a great way to start the MIAA season."

The Knights started the day with an 8-2 victory at No. 3 doubles. The team of sophomore Lark Foote and junior Liz Turner downed Matilda Ennis and Amy Wood.

The junior duo of Ellie Benzel and Claire Spoelhof earned Calvin its first victory over Alma in No. 1 doubles for the first time in three years. The Calvin duo defeated Megan Solano and Nikki Malekadelli, 8-2.

Sophomore Jessica Bouma and sophomore Micaela Seazzu won at No. 2 doubles over Paige Pontious and Claudia Barajas, 8-3.

Jessica Bouma earned Calvin's first singles victory of the day at No. 3 singles. Defeating Paige Pontious in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.

Minutes later, Claire Spoelhof earned the victory at No. 2 singles over Nikki Malekadeli, 6-1, 6-0.

Micaela Seazzu swept away the Scots' Claudia Barajas at No. 4 singles, 6-0, 6-0.

Freshman Alyssa Bowman made quick work of Matilda Ennis at No. 5 singles, 6-0, 6-0.

At No. 1 singles, Ellie Benzel edged Megan Solano in a hard-fought tight match. Benzel defeated Solano, 6-3, 7-5.

"I am feeling great," said Benzel. "I couldn't have asked to play any better today. I am just really excited getting a win starting off conference play."

Sophomore Kari Kroeze closed out the match for Calvin at No. 6 singles, defeating Chloe Ramsey, 6-2, 6-1.

The Knights return to action on Wednesday as they host the Flying Dutch of Hope College.