ALBION, Mich. - The ninth-ranked Calvin University women's volleyball team lost 3-1 (25-21, 25-21, 18-25, 25-23) at Albion on Wednesday.

The two teams traded the lead back and forth for much of the first two sets, but the Britons were able to close strong take both sets 25-21.

Albion (17-10, 6-1) scored six of the last seven points to win the opening set after trailing 20-19, and then scored the last four in the second set to break a late 21-21 tie. 

Calvin (19-6, 5-2) answered back with a strong third set as Vanessa Martinez (Hudsonville, Mich./Wyoming) and Aerin Baker (Saugatuck, Mich./Saugatuck) each had four kills while the Knights recorded five blocks to cut their deficit in the match to 2-1.

The Knights pushed to force a fifth set as the teams once again battled back and forth in the fourth set. Calvin took a 23-22 lead late thanks to a block at the net by Emma Ekblaw (Chesterton, Ind./Chesteron) and Martinez, but Albion recovered to win the final three points to take the set 25-23.

Calvin out-hit the Britons .207 to .173 on the attack, but Albion's service game was strong and finished with 14 aces compared to the Knights' four.

Baker led Calvin with 13 kills, with Gabriella Kellogg (Belleville, Mich./Plymouth Christian Academy) and Ekblaw added nine and eight, respectively. 

Martinez finished with a match-high seven blocks, while Avery Ekkens (Portage, Mich./Kalamazoo Central) and Jasmine Namminga (Pella, Iowa/Pella Community) each added five. Baker also led the Knights with 17 digs. 

NEXT UP: Calvin women's volleyball will close the regular season with a home match against Kalamazoo College on Saturday, November 4.