Bloomington, Ill. – The 19th-ranked Calvin University women's volleyball team opens its 2025 NCAA Division III Volleyball Tournament with a first-round match against Hanover College on Thursday (November 20) at 2 PM (CT) on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University.

The Teams: Calvin and Hanover The Knights enter the tournament with a 25-3 record, while the Panthers are 21-10. Calvin advanced to the national tournament by winning the MIAA Tournament title last Saturday, giving Calvin the league's automatic bid. The Knights were MIAA runners-up in the regular season at 7-1 in conference play. The Knights then defeated regular season champion Hope in the MIAA Tournament title match last Saturday night. while GAC won the MIAC regular season and tournament championships to secure the automatic bid from its conference. Hanover advanced to the NCAA III Tournament by winning the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament title last weekend. Hanover finished tied for third in the HCAC regular season standings at 6-3 but has proceeded to win six straight matches including a five-set win over regular season co-HCAC champion Transylvania University last Sunday in the HCAC Tournament final.

The Series – Thursday will mark the sixth meeting between the two teams since 2000. Calvin has won the last five meetings including wins in 2007 and 2009 under current head coach Amber Warners.

NCAA III Tournament History –  This marks the 33rd appearance in the NCAA III Volleyball Tournament for Calvin, including the 20th appearance in the last 21 seasons under head coach Dr. Amber Warners. The Knights are 71-31 all-time in the NCAA III Tournament with a 56-16 record under Warners. Calvin has won three NCAA III titles (2010, 2013 and 2016). Warners has also led Calvin to five regional finals, one NCAA Quarterfinal, two final fours and three NCAA finals appearances in her 24 seasons. Calvin missed the NCAA III Tournament last fall and most recently played in the tournament in 2023, falling to Gustavus Adolphus in a first round match at UW-Oshkosh.

Common Opponents – Calvin and Hanover have seven common opponents in 2025 in Capital, Ohio Wesleyan, Adrian, Anderson, Heidelberg, Albion and Trine. Calvin went 8-0 against the group in 2025 while Hanover went 6-1 with the only loss for the Panthers coming in a five-set decision to Albion on September 12.

Rankings – Calvin enters NCAA III Tournament play ranked 19^th in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Division III poll after being ranked 22^nd last week and 25^th the week before. Calvin finished 18th in the final NCAA Division III Power Index metrics. Hanover finished 95^th in the final NCAA Division III NPI.

The Coaches: Calvin is coached by Dr. Amber Warners in her 24th season. Warners has led the Knights to three national championships (2010, 2013 and 2016) with a career record of 702-119. She picked up her historic 700^th win on November 7 in a three-set win at Alma College. On Wednesday, she was named the MIAA Coach of the Year and the AVCA Great Lakes Region (VII) Coach of the Year. Her regional award marks the She is the Division III career leader in winning percentage in terms of active women's (D3) volleyball coaches. She carries a career winning percentage of .855 heading into NCAA III Tournament play. The Panthers are coached by Peter Preocanin. He has led the Hanover women's volleyball program since 2000. He is a five-time recipient of the HCAC Coach of the Year award. He has now led Hanover to three NCAA III Tournament appearances (2007, 2017 and 2025). He recorded his 400^th collegiate victory in 2023.

The Players: Calvin had three of its players receive AVCA All-Region (7) honors on Wednesday. Seniors Aerin Baker (OH) and Emma Ekblaw (MB) were named to the All-Region 1^st team while freshman Sarah Bradley (OH) was named to the AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention list. Bradly was also named the AVCA Region 7 Freshman of the Year. Baker and Ekblaw were named to the All-MIAA First Team. Bradley and junior libero Tryna Vander Zwaag were named to the All-MIAA Second Team. Bradley was named the MIAA Newcomer of the Year while VanderZwaag was named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year.  For Hanover, junior Abby McCoy (OH) was named to the All-HCAC First Team. Senior Elliot Mays (OH) and sophomore Madison Schicker (DS/LB) were named to the All-HCAC Second Team. Freshman Kinzee Dean (MB/RS) was named to the All-HCAC First Year Team.

NCAA III Statistics – As a team, Calvin is ranked 11^th in blocks per set (2.35), 22^nd in hitting percentage (.241), 13^th in opponent hitting percentage (.099). Individually, Calvin junior Mary Boa is ranked 18^th in blocks per set (1.16).

Tale of the Tape: 

• Kills per set – Calvin 12.9, HC 12.2
• Attack efficiency – Calvin .241, HC .181
• Opponents' Attack efficiency – Calvin .099, HC .152
• Aces per set – Calvin 2.32, HC 2.02
• Blocks per set – Calvin 2.35, HC 1.32

Coverage: Live Video will be provided by Illinois Wesleyan - Live Stream Link l Live Stats

Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online at: Illinois Wesleyan NCAA III Regional Volleyball Tickets

Single-session (one-day)
Adults: $12
Senior Citizens/Veterans: $10
Student (with ID): 10
Children under 12: $7
Child - 2 years: free

All-session (all three days)
Adults: $20
Senior Citizens/Veterans: $15
Student (with ID): $12
Children under 12: $12
Child - 2 years: free