GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Today the Knights welcomed the Muskies of Lakeland University to Van Noord Arena for a non-conference matchup where they emerged victorious in a five set thriller.
 
Lakeland won the opening set 25-16 while freshman Troy Jones (Sparta, Mich./Sparta) and sophomore Nick Bultje (Byron Center, Mich./South Christian) led the attack for the Knights as they each recorded two kills.
 
In the second set, Calvin found momentum early but the Muskies bounced back and eventually took a 21-17 lead. After that Calvin showed some fight of their own and thanks to some timely kills from freshman duo Bryce Broekhuizen (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Christian) and Gavin Barber (Lowell, Mich./Lowell) the Knights dug their way out of the hole to tie things up at 23-23. After fighting off two set points for Lakeland the Knights were able to cash in on their efforts and win the second set 27-25. 
 
Calvin kept things rolling as they won the third set 25-20 before the Muskies claimed the fourth set with a score of 25-22 to send the match into the fifth.
 
In the final set the Knights got out to a hot start as they went up 4-0 on Lakeland. While the Muskies tried to battle back Calvin remained strong as they powered their way to a 15-13 finish and won the match 3-2.
 
Senior Gabriel Laughlin (Grand Rapids, Mich./West Michigan Aviation Academy) finished the evening as the Knights lead attacker with 12 kills and five blocks while Jones was close behind with 10 kills and a team high 32 digs.
 
 Sophomore setter Cameron Dogger (Holland, Mich./Zion Christian) finished with 25 assists and junior libero Parker Steele (Boscobel, Wis./Boscal) accounted for 24 digs.
 
COACHES COMMENTS: "We came out with a put up or shut up mentality in the fifth set and delivered," said head coach Spencer Fredrick. 
 
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action on Thursday, February 6th when they travel to River Forest, Ill. to take on Concordia University Chicago. The match is set to begin at 7PM (CT).