GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Calvin University women's volleyball team closed the Midwest Invitational at Van Noord Arena with 3-0 wins over both Carroll University and Mount St. Joseph University (MSJ) on Saturday.
The Knights opened the day by defeating Carroll by the scores of 25-17, 25-14 and 25-20, and then topped MSJ 25-17, 25-21 and 25-23.
Match 1
Calvin (11-7) got off to a strong start in the morning match on the way to a three-set win over Carroll (17-9).
Jasmine Namminga (Pella, Iowa/Pella Community) led the charge in the first set with five kills and one block to help the Knights win the set 25-17.
Aerin Baker (Saugatuck, Mich./Saugatuck) took control on the attack in the second set with five kills, while
Vanessa Martinez (Hudsonville, Mich./Wyoming) recorded five service aces and two blocks as the Knights won 25-14 and took a 2-0 lead.
Calvin continued to roll in the third set and built a 24-12 lead before the Pioneers scored eight straight points late, but the comeback was too late as Martinez closed the set and the match with a kill to give the Knights the 3-0 win.
The Knights trailed only once in the entire match (2-1 early in the third set) and held the Carroll attack to a -.048 attack efficiency for the match with the help of 12 blocks.
Martinez finished with nine blocks in the three sets to go with six aces and five kills. Baker led the Calvin attack with 11 kills, while
Mackenzie Gerig (Rochester, N.Y./Hilton) finished with 18 digs.
Match 2
Calvin (12-7) finished the day and the tournament with a 3-0 sweep of MSJ (7-11).
MSJ held an early 13-11 lead in the opening set, but Calvin finished the set with a 14-4 run to take the early lead in the match.
Avery Ekkens (Portage, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) was everywhere for the Knights early, recording four kills and 11 digs to help them get off to the fast start.
The Lions once again held a lead midway through the second set (14-11), but the Knights roared back with the help of six kills from Ekkens (including the final two Calvin points) to take a 2-0 overall advantage. Calvin finished with 14 kills and hit .344 for the set.
With the Lions looking to extend the match to a fourth set, Calvin took control late and then held off one last MSJ rally as Baker recorded the final two points on kills to secure the win and the Saturday sweep.
Ekkens led the Knights with 11 kills and 14 digs on the way to her sixth double-double of the season.
Emma Ekblaw (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) added nine kills, while Martinez finished with five blocks.
COACH'S COMMENT: "I thought we played consistent and our serve and pass was really good all day," Calvin women's volleyball head coach Dr.
Amber Warners said. "We held tough even when things weren't going our way. I'm proud of our team today."
NEXT UP: Calvin women's volleyball will return to MIAA play when it travels to Saint Mary's College (Ind.) on Tuesday, October 15, for a match scheduled to start at 7:00 PM.
