GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Calvin University women's volleyball closed its home tournament with a 3-0 win over Heidelberg University by the scores of 25-15, 25-22 and 25-20.
 
Emma Ekblaw (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) helped Calvin (9-2) get off to a strong start with five kills and one block on the way to a 25-15 win in the opening set.
 
Heidelberg (9-7) got off to a good start to the second set and held an early 12-8 lead, but the Knights ran off five straight points to take the lead and then finished strong on a kill from Caralee Schipper (Mount Brydges, Ontario/Strathroy District Collegiate Institute) to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
The third set was more of the same for the Knights, as Ekblaw and Aerin Baker (Saugatuck/Mich./Saugatuck) each recorded four kills to help seal the win for Calvin.
 
Ekblaw led Calvin with 10 kills in the match, followed by Baker with nine kills and Sarah Bradley (Clarkston, Mich./Everest Collegiate) with six. Baker also added three service aces and two blocks.
 
Delaney Kemp (Frisco, Texas/Frisco Centennial) led the team with 16 assists and tied Tryna Vander Zwaag (Hamilton, Mich./Holland Christian) for the team lead with 14 digs.
 
COACH'S COMMENT: "I thought we played a little less consistent than we did other days," Calvin head women's volleyball coach Amber Warners said. "They were also really scrappy and played great defense. I was really happy with the serving and the passing, and that's what wins matches. We work really hard every day and we're seeing improvement, and our defense has improved, which we've been working on a lot. I'm just really thrilled with this group and the way they come to work every day."
 
NEXT UP: Calvin women's volleyball will return to action on Friday, September 26, when it plays in a tournament hosted by Alma College in matches against Anderson and Concordia-Chicago.