ADA, Ohio - The fifth-ranked Calvin University women's volleyball team swept its first match of the ONU Invitational against Marietta 3-0 (25-11, 25-22, 25-14) at Ohio Northern University on Friday.

The Knights were dominant to open the match as the front row defense helped force 11 Pioneer attack errors. Marietta hit -.133 on the attack for the set as the Knights blocked four Pioneer attacks. Vanessa Martinez (Hudsonville, Mich./Wyoming) led the charge in the front row with three blocks and two kills in the set.

Marietta came out strong to start the second set with three early service aces to take a 5-0 lead, but Calvin quickly came back to tie the set 10-10, and Gabriella Kellogg (Belleville, Mich./Plymouth Christian Academy) finished off the 25-22 set win with a kill to give the Knights a 2-0 lead in the match.

The Calvin offense took over in the third set, hitting .368 on the attack with 18 kills to finish off the 3-0 sweep with a 25-14 set win.

Aerin Baker (Saugatuck, Mich./Saugatuck) paced the Knights with nine kills, while Avery Ekkens (Portage, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) and Martinez added seven and five kills, respectively. 

Martinez finished with seven blocks, including one solo effort, while Emma Ekblaw (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) added five blocks and four kills.

Aubrey Wrubel (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) led Calvin with 14 digs. 

Calvin improved to 7-1 on the season with the win, while Marietta fell to 3-5 in defeat. 

COACH'S COMMENT: "Loved how we came out to play tonight," Calvin women's volleyball head coach Dr. Amber Warners said. "We had a lot of energy and fire and played well. We will need to bring that same intensity tomorrow for two tough matches."

NEXT UP: Calvin women's volleyball will return to action tomorrow (Saturday, September 16) for a pair of matches on day two of the ONU Invitational. The Knights will face Case Western at 10:00 AM, followed by a match against 23rd-ranked Ohio Northern at 1:00 PM.