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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The number-nine Calvin University women's volleyball team lost its non-conference match to rival and third-ranked Hope College in five sets Saturday at Van Noord Arena by the scores of 25-13, 18-25, 14-25, 26-24, 15-12.

The Flying Dutch raced to a big lead early and took the opening set 25-13, but Calvin (19-5) answered with a big second set from the front row to take that game 25-18 and even the match 1-1. Calvin finished with five blocks in the set, with three apiece from Aerin Baker (Saugatuck, Mich./Saugatuck) and Jasmine Namminga (Pella, Iowa, Pella Community), while Emma Ekblaw (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) and Gabriella Kellogg (Belleville, Mich./Plymouth Christian Academy) each recorded three kills.

The Knights continued that momentum into the third set as a balanced attack with four different players recording three kills led Calvin to take the set 25-14 and take the lead in the match 2-1.

The fourth set went back and forth as the two rivals traded big rallies in a set that featured 13 ties and five lead changes. Calvin survived three straight set points to tie the set at 24-24, but Hope (23-2) held firm and scored the final two points to force a fifth and deciding game.

The teams continued to trade the lead back and forth in the fifth set, but two Hope service aces and a pair of Calvin serving errors helped Hope build a slim lead, and the Flying Dutch were able to survive a late Calvin push to secure the win.

Calvin was strong on the defensive end in the match with Baker and Namminga each finishing with five blocks, and Aubrey Wrubel (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) led five players in doubles figures with 18 digs.

Ekblaw set a new career high with 16 kills to go with her four blocks, while Baker and Avery Ekkens (Portage, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) each finished with 11. 

Alyssa DeVries (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) recorded 26 assists and 16 digs, and Wrubel added 13 assists.

COACH'S COMMENT: "I thought the difference in the match was we just had a few more unforced errors," Calvin head coach Dr. Amber Warners said. "A few key missed serves, and I don't think we passed quite as well. But I'm proud of our fight and the way we played. We're very young, so I was really happy with how we came out. We just have to get rid of the things we're doing wrong."

NEXT UP: Calvin women's volleyball returns to action on Wednesday, November 1, when it travels to Albion for a match scheduled to start at 6:30 PM.