NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Calvin University women's volleyball team returned to MIAA play on Tuesday with a 3-0 sweep at Saint Mary's College (SMC) by the scores of 25-20, 25-16 and 25-23.
 
Calvin (13-7, 2-1 MIAA) got off to a strong start in the opening set, with Aerin Baker (Saugatuck, Mich./Saugatuck) recording four kills to lead the attack while the Knights held SMC (8-11, 0-4 MIAA) to .026 efficiency to take the opening set 25-20.
 
The Knights continued to push the issue in the second set by scoring the first seven points to take a big early lead. The Belles cut the deficit to three at 9-6, but the Calvin attack hit .324 for the set with Baker recording six kills to help the Knights build a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
SMC looked to grab the momentum early in the third set as it forced an early Calvin timeout and built a 14-8 lead, but the Knights answered with an 11-1 run to take control of the set and held off one last rally from the Belles to finish off the sweep.
 
Calvin hit .248 on the attack for the match, led by Baker with 13 kills. Avery Ekkens (Portage, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) added nine kills to go with a team-high 13 digs, while Emma Ekblaw (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) finished with eight kills.
 
Vanessa Martinez (Hudsonville, Mich./Wyoming) and Jasmine Namminga (Pella, Iowa/Pella Community) each finished with four blocks. Grace Spoelma (Caledonia, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) led the team with 14 assists and added two blocks.
 
COACH'S COMMENT: "We played a midweek, away MIAA match so we will be happy with the result," Calvin head women's volleyball coach Dr. Amber Warners said. "I thought our serving and passing were solid. We need to still work on being more consistent offensively."
 
NEXT UP: Calvin women's volleyball will return home for its next match on Friday, October 18, when it hosts Adrian College at 6:30 PM.