GRAND RAPIDS - The seventh-ranked Calvin University women's volleyball team won its MIAA opener against Saint Mary's College (Ind.) 3-0 on Friday by the scores of 25-14, 25-15 and 25-19.

Calvin (13-2, 1-0) made short work of the opening set as it blocked five Saint Mary's (4-7, 0-2) attacks to win the opening set 25-14. Vanessa Martinez (Hudsonville, Mich./Wyoming) and Jasmine Namminga (Pella, Iowa/Pella Community) each had three blocks in the set to lead the front row defensive effort, while Emma Ekblaw (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) led the team with three kills.

The Knights started a bit slower in the second set, but came on strong in the middle of the set to take a 2-0 lead in the match thanks to six kills and two more blocks from Martinez.

The Belles hung around in the third set with the help of some Calvin struggles to keep serves in play, but five kills from Aerin Baker (Saugatuck, Mich./Saugatuck) helped the Knights pull away once again down the stretch to secure the win.

Calvin finished the match with nine total blocks, led by six from Martinez and four from Namminga.

On the attack, Baker led all players with 10 kills, while Ekblaw and Martinez hit .800 and .538, respectively, with eight kills apiece.

Avery Ekkens (Portage, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) led the team with 12 digs and three service aces.

COACH'S COMMENT: "Very happy with our blocking, and I think we got a lot better after the first set with our hitting," Calvin women's volleyball head coach Dr. Amber Warners said. "It was up and down and it's so much about us and some of our inconsistencies right now, but we're working really hard to keep the ball in more."

NEXT UP: Number-seven Calvin volleyball will return to action on Wednesday, October 4, when it travels to number-two Hope College for a match scheduled to start at 6:30 PM.