ANGOLA, Ind. - The 24th-ranked Calvin University women's volleyball team split its two matches at a triangular hosted by Trine University on Saturday. 

The Knights opened the day with a 3-0 sweep of Trine (25-10, 27-25, 25-15) before losing 3-0 to Ohio Northern (25-22, 25-19, 26-24).

Match 1

Calvin (10-5, 1-1) started the day with a sweep of Trine (13-2, 0-1) to even its record in MIAA play.

The Knights dominated the opening set as they built an 18-5 lead before cruising to a 25-10 win to take a 1-0 lead. Aerin Baker (Saugatuck, Mich./Saugatuck) and Emma Ekblaw (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) each finished with three kills in the set, while Jasmine Namminga (Pella, Iowa/Pella Community) recorded four blocks.

The Thunder looked to even the match with a strong start to the second set and led 24-18 late, but the Knights fought off six straight set points with Vanessa Martinez (Hudsonville, Mich./Wyoming) serving five straight points to tie the score at 24-24, and the Knights finished off the set with a kill by Allison Moore (Tequesta, Fla./Jupiter Christian) to win the set 27-25 and take a 2-0 lead.

Calvin used that momentum in the third set and finished off the sweep with a 25-15 win.

Ekblaw led the Knights with 10 kills while Baker and Avery Ekkens (Portage, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) each finished with nine. Mackenzie Gerig (Rochester, N.Y./Hilton) finished with 12 digs. Namminga recorded seven blocks, including three solo blocks.

Match 2

Ohio Northern (13-4) got the best of the second match as it defeated Calvin (10-6) in three to close the day.

After winning the first set 25-22, ONU took control midway through the second set to win 25-19 and take a 2-0 overall lead.

The third game went back and fourth with 11 ties and nine lead changes. Both teams battled with tie scores at 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24, but ONU was able to secure the final two points to finish off the 3-0 win.

Baker led Calvin with 16 kills. Ekkens joined her in double figures with 13 and added a team-best 14 digs. Grace Spoelma (Caledonia, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) led the Knights with 20 assists. 

COACH'S COMMENT: "We had a great start to the day playing an away conference match," Calvin head women's volleyball coach Dr. Amber Warners said. "I thought we played really well against Trine and put everything together on defense and offense."

NEXT UP: Calvin women's volleyball will return to action on Friday, October 11, when it starts the two-day Midwest Invitational at Van Noord Arena. The Knights will host Millikin University at 7:00 PM.