With five of the top eight volleyball teams in the NCAA DIII 
Great Lakes Region all at the Wittenberg Invitational, Calvin knew it would have 
tough competition. The Knights breezed through the first day of competition 
unfazed as they picked up wins over Mt. Union 30-25, 30-28, 19-30, 32-30 and 
Case Western 30-24, 30-12, 30-20. The win over Mt. Union also avenged an early 
loss to the Purple Raiders 27-30, 30-27, 30-23, 30-28 on September 14. 

In the match with Mt. Union Calvin was led by the tough middle-hitter 
combination of senior Melissa Pell (Fremont) and sophomore Kara Kuipers (Unity 
Christian). Pell recorded 18 kills, five blocks, and two service aces while 
Kuipers added 13 kills, four blocks, and two service aces. Also chipping in from 
the front line were sophomore Kathy Brenneman (North Muskegon) with nine kills 
and senior Cassie Christopher who amassed eight kills and 20 digs. Junior Trisha 
Balkema (Illiana Christian) had 20 digs while senior setter Laura Tucker 
(Holland Christian) dished out 52 assists. 

In a three game drubbing of Case Western, the Knights used a balanced attack to 
cruise to victory. Christopher led the way for Calvin (13-3) with 12 kills, 
followed by Pell with 10 kills, and Brenneman added nine kills. Balkema garnered 
13 digs while sophomore Kristin DeGroot (Central Valley Christian) was credited 
with 12 digs. Tucker paced the Calvin offense with 40 assists while senior Sarah 
Rottman (Holland Christian) fired off four service aces. 

Calvin will complete pool play against Wittenberg University, the fourteenth 
ranked team in the country according to the latest AVCA DIII coaches� poll. 
With a win Calvin will advance to the championship game against the winner of 
the opposite pool which includes Hope College, Carnegie Mellon, Franklin, Ohio 
Northern. A loss to Wittenberg will drop Calvin into second place in its pool as 
they will face the second place team in the pool opposite them.