For first time in six years, Calvin has captured the prestigious Midwest Invitational. Not only 
did the Knights win their own invitational, but they garnered wins over 
regionally ranked DePauw and arch-rival Hope College. The last time Calvin won 
the Midwest was in 1996, and has since suffered a drought which included a fifth 
place finish in 2001. On Saturday, Calvin captured a four-game victory over 
DePauw by scores of 32-30, 30-22, 26-30, 30-27. DePauw, which is currently 
ranked eighth in the DIII Great Lakes Region, finished third overall in the 
tournament with a five-game victory over Anderson in the consolation final.

In the win over DePauw, Calvin was led by senior middle-hitter Melissa Pell 
(Fremont) who had a huge performance ripping off 13 kills and amassing 10 blocks 
to go with her two service aces. Following close behind were senior Cassie 
Christopher (Fruitport) and sophomore Kara Kuipers (Unity Christian) who each 
had 12 kills while Christopher added five service aces and Kuipers totaled eight 
blocks. Senior setter Laura Tucker (Holland Christian) paced the Knight attack 
with 49 assists.

"We trying to peak right now," said Calvin head coach Amber 
Warners. "Our goal is to play consistently and if we do that, we feel we can win 
the majority of our games." In a 31-29, 30-26, 26-30, 30-16 victory over Hope, 
Calvin was steadied by good front row output and stellar defense. Pell once 
again anchored the Calvin attack with 18 kills, five blocks, and four service 
aces. Sophomore outside hitter Kathy Brenneman (North Muskegon) recorded 13 
kills while Christopher added nine kills. Junior Trisha Balkema (Illiana 
Christian) had 18 digs from her libero position.

"In the match against Hope I felt that our hitters were playing really well," said Warners. "They were able 
to make good adjustments and they got the job done." Pell and Kuipers were both 
named to the all-tournament team. For Pell, it marked her third all-tournament 
performance of the year as she also landed on all-tournament teams at 
invitational hosted by Kalamazoo College and Wittenberg University earlier this 
year. With the pair of victories Saturday, the Knights improve to 23-6 overall 
and 10-2 in the MIAA. Calvin has now reached the 20-win plateau for the eighth 
straight year.

Calvin will take to the road next week, facing MIAA on Tuesday 
against St. Mary's at 7:00 p.m. and against Hope on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.