CHICAGO, Ill. – The Calvin volleyball team started the 2016 season in winning fashion on Friday afternoon. The Knights started the Gargoyle Classic with a thrilling, 3-2 victory over Millikin. Calvin would go onto close the day with a 3-0 victory over Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The Maroon and Gold are 2-0 on the young season.

"I am pleased with how the team responded today," said head coach Amber Warners. "It was a long and hard day and we were able to preserve and get two wins against two really good teams. We have to get ready for tomorrow, because we know that tomorrow will be tough again."

The Knights found themselves in a battle with Millikin in the first match. The Knights take the first set, 25-23. Millikin would not go away and would take the next two sets 28-26 and 25-23. The Knights would fight back and would force a fifth set, taking the fourth set, 28-26.

Calvin recorded 14 aces in the five-set victory, junior Kristen Vyletel (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron) had seven and senior Laura Danhoff (Willard, Ohio/Willard) notched five. The Knights had three players finish with double-digit kills, Laura Danhoff had 17, freshman Sarah DeVries (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northpointe Christian) had 16 and sophomore Anna Kamp (Orland Park, Ill./Chicago Christian) had 14. The Maroon and Gold finished the match with 8.5 blocks, junior Alyssa Scholten (Byron Center, Mich./Covenant Christian) and Laura Danhoff both finished with 3.0 blocks. Junior Jenna Lodewyk recorded 52 assists and Kristen Vyletel led the Knights with 16 digs.

Calvin would close the day sweeping the Blugolds of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 3-0. The Knights would win in straight sets, 25-18, 25-23, 25-18.

Sarah DeVries finished with a team-high 10 kills. Jenna Lodewyk finished with 27 assists. Sophomore Keilahna Castillo (Grandville, Mich./Grandville) finished with a team-high three aces and 12 digs. Laura Danhoff notched 2.5 blocks against the Blugolds.

The Knights conclude the Gargoyle Classic against the host Maroons of the University of Chicago. The action is slated to begin at 2:30 p.m. eastern time, 1:30 p.m. central time.