GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Calvin University women's volleyball team closed the regular season with a 3-0 win over Alma College by the scores of 25-19, 25-12 and 25-12 on Friday night at Van Noord Arena.
Calvin (18-8, 7-1) never trailed in any of the three sets as the Knights took big early leads in each game and continued to put pressure on Alma (7-21, 3-5 MIAA) to play from behind.
The Knights jumped out to a 7-2 start in the first set, a 12-1 advantage in the second, and then a 7-1 lead in the third set to control each game.
Aerin Baker (Saugatuck, Mich./Saugatuck) was the leading hitter for the Knights throughout the night, recording seven kills apiece in each of the first two sets and finishing with 18 kills and a .324 attack efficiency for the match.
Calvin seniors
Avery Ekkens (Portage, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) and
Vanessa Martinez (Grandville, Mich./Wyoming) also came through with strong performances in their final home matches at Van Noord Arena.
Ekkens hit .444 on the attack with nine kills and also led the team with 12 digs, while Martinez came through in the front row on defense with six blocks. Both players tied for the team lead with three service aces.
The serving game was big for the Knights throughout the match as Calvin set a new season high with 14 total aces. Martinez and Ekkens combined for six, while
Jordan Steen (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian,
Sarah Jensen (South Barrington, Ill./Barrington) and Lina Kasubowski (Racine, Wis./Union Grove) each had two aces.
The Knights finished with 10 total blocks in the match, led by Martinez's six. Baker, Ekkens and
Jasmine Namminga (Pella, Iowa/Pella Community) each finished with three blocks apiece.
COACH'S COMMENT: "I thought we came out a little too lackadaisical and they (Alma) are too good for that," Calvin head women's volleyball coach
Amber Warners said. "I really liked our defense and our serving overall, and I think we picked up our energy in the second and third sets."
NEXT UP: Calvin women's volleyball will return to action on Friday, November 15, when it play in the semifinal round of the MIAA Volleyball Tournament. The Knights will enter the match as the tournament's second seed. Hope College will host the two-day tournament.
