HOLLAND, Mich. – The Calvin University women's volleyball team advanced to the finals of the MIAA Tournament with a 3-0 win over Albion College by the scores of 25-20, 25-21 and 25-13 at Hope College on Friday.
Albion (10-23) started each of the first two sets with early leads, but Calvin (19-8) was able settle things down and turn both sets in its favor on the way to the sweep.
The Britons jumped out to an early 8-2 lead in the first set, but roared back to tie the score at 10-10, and used a late 6-0 run to create separation on the way to a 1-0 lead in the match.
Avery Ekkens (Portage, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) led the first-set attack with four kills, while
Mackenzie Gerig (Rochester, N.Y./Hilton) led the defensive effort with seven digs.
The Knights fell behind 8-3 early in the second set, but once again quickly came back into the set and took a 17-13 lead with the help of a 6-0 run. The Britons battled to stay in the set, but the Knights closed strong to build a 2-0 lead. Ekkens finished the set with seven of the Knights' 14 kills.
Vanessa Martinez (Hudsonville, Mich./Wyoming) recorded five blocks in the set.
The third set was all Calvin, as the Knights took the early lead and never looked back on the way to securing the sweep. Calvin hit a match-best .323 for the third set, with Martinez and Ekkens leading the way with seven combined kills.
Calvin finished the night with 41 total kills and a .205 attack efficiency. Albion finished with a negative hitting percentage (-.010) thanks to 10 Calvin blocks.
Ekkens led the attack with 15 kills to go with eight digs.
Emma Ekblaw (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) finished with six kills.
Martinez led the defensive effort in the front row with seven blocks.
Aerin Baker (Saugatuck, Mich./Saugatuck) finished with five blocks.
Delaney Kemp finished with a double-double with 19 assists and 12 digs. Gerig led the Knights with 16 digs.
COACH'S COMMENT: "I thought we played really well once we settled the nerves," Calvin head women's volleyball coach Dr.
Amber Warners said. "We were aggressive and played great defense."
NEXT UP: Calvin women's volleyball returns to action tomorrow (Saturday, November 16) at Hope College for the MIAA Tournament championship game at 6:00 PM.
