LEXINGTON, Ky. - The seventh-ranked Calvin University women's volleyball team defeated a pair of highly ranked opponents at the Transylvania Invite on Saturday, defeating number-11 Berry (Ga.) 3-1 (25-17, 16-25, 25-11, 25-14) and number-eight Transylvania 3-1 (19-25, 27-25, 25-22, 25-23).

Calvin 3, Berry 1

The Knights were dominant to open the day, overcoming a second-set hiccup to defeat Berry in four.

Calvin opened the match strong on the attack, as Aerin Baker (Saugatuck, Mich./Saugatuck) and Jasmine Savoi (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester) combined for 10 kills to give the Knights a 25-17 win in the opening set.

After the Vikings tied the match in the second set, the Knights took control right back with a dominant 25-11 third-set win. Gabriella Kellogg (Belleville, Mich./Plymouth Christian Academy) recorded five kills in the set, while Alyssa DeVries (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) and Jordan Steen (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) each recorded a pair of service aces.

The Knights put the match away in the fourth set, winning 25-14 to improve to 2-0 on the weekend.

Kellogg (14) and Baker (13) combined for 27 kills to lead the attack, while DeVries added 34 assists and five aces. Tryna Vander Zwaag (Hamilton, Mich./Holland Christian) added four aces, and Aubrey Wrubel recorded a team-high 14 digs in the win.

Calvin 3, Transylvania 1

Calvin overcame a slow start with a big rally in the second set on the way to a 3-1 win over the Pioneers from Transylvania by the scores of 19-25, 27-25, 25-22 and 25-23.

The Pioneers won the first set 25-19 and held an 18-12 lead in the second game, but the Knights came back as Vander Zwaag served six straight points to push the Knights ahead 19-18. 

Transylvania put together a rally of its own and led 24-21 late, but the Knights fought off three set points before finishing strong to tie the match 1-1.

The Knights continued their momentum in the third set, as Wrubel and Avery Ekkens (Portage, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) led the back row defensive effort, while Vanessa Martinez (Hudsonville, Mich./Wyoming) led the front row to help the Knights win the set 25-22 and take a 2-1 overall lead.

The Pioneers would not go away quietly as they pushed the Knights to force a fifth set, but the Calvin overcame a late deficit to win the match on back-to-back kills by Emma Ekblaw (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) and Baker to secure the win.

The defensive effort was critical for the Knights throughout the match, as Wrubel recorded 20 digs and Martinez finished with seven blocks. DeVries also played a critical role defensively with 15 digs to go with her 45 assists. Ekkens also finished in double figures with 12 digs, while Ekblaw added four blocks in addition to nine kills.

On the attack, Kellogg led the way with 19 kills, while Baker added 17 kills. 

COACH'S COMMENT: "We fought today! Playing two top-15 teams back-to-back was a difficult task," Calvin women's volleyball coach Dr. Amber Warners said. "I loved how we didn't give up on any set and learned how to take the game one point at a time to get back into the sets when we fell behind. We need to continue to improve and make less errors so we will get back into the gym and work hard to keep improving! We will enjoy the bus ride home first, though! Very proud of these young women and how they competed today!"

NEXT UP: The Calvin women's volleyball team will return to action on Tuesday, September 5, when it travels to Wheaton (Ill.) for a match scheduled to start at 6:00 PM (CST).