HOLLAND, Mich. – The 15th-ranked Calvin University women's volleyball team swept both matches of Saturday's MIAA/NCAC Challenge on Saturday at Hope College.
Calvin (5-1) defeated Denison University (2-5) by the scores of 25-8, 25-18 and 25-22 before topping Wittenberg University (3-3) 27-25, 25-22 and 25-13.
Match 1
The Knights started the afternoon with a 3-0 sweep of Denison by the scores of 25-8, 25-18 and 25-22.
Calvin hit a blistering .542 on the attack in the opening set on the way to a 25-8 win.
Sarah Bradley (Clarkston, Mich./Everest Collegiate) recorded four kills to lead the way to go with six service aces.
Kate Van Appledorn (Holland, Mich./Holland Christian) recorded three kills in the set.
The Big Red used a 9-2 run in the middle of the second set to take a 16-11 lead, but the Knights answered by winning 14 of the last 16 points to close out the set 25-18 and take a 2-0 overall lead. Bradley added five more kills while
Olivia Peterson (Muskegon, Mich./North Muskegon) had 12 assists.
Denison took a 21-19 lead late in the third set as it looked to extend the match, but the Knights once again closed strong by winning six of the last seven points as
Tryna Vander Zwaag finished out the match with a service ace.
Bradley led the Knights with 15 kills on the day along with 15 digs and nine service aces. Van Appledorn added eight kills and four blocks, while Peterson finished with 31 assists. Vander Zwaag led Calvin with 17 digs.
Match 2
Calvin closed its day with a three-set sweep of Wittenberg by the scores of 27-25, 25-22 and 25-13.
The first set featured 10 ties and four lead changes as the two teams battled back and forth to start, with Wittenberg saving set points at 24-23 and 25-24 before the Knights won the last two points after a pair of Tiger errors to take the set.
Mary Boa (Atlanta, Ga./Riverwood International Charter) led the attack with four kills and added two blocks in the win.
The second set brought more of the same as the two teams continued to fight back and forth until late, when the Knights once against two the final two points on a Boa kill and won the set 25-22 on a Bradley solo block to take a 2-0 overall lead. Bradley and
Allison Moore (Jupiter, Fla./Jupiter Christian) each had three kills in the set while
Jordan Steen (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) recorded seven dig.
Calvin dominated the third set from start to finish, opening with an 8-1 run to start the set and never allowing Wittenberg to get closer than five points the rest of the way. Bradley and Van Appledorn each had five kills and the Knights recorded six service aces in the set to finish off the sweep.
Bradley and Van Appledorn each finished the match with nine kills to lead the attack. Steen led the team with 18 assists. Van Appledorn added four total blocks while Peterson finished with 27 assists.
Lina Kasuboski (Racine, Wis./Union Grove) had four of the Knights 10 total service aces.
NEXT UP: Calvin volleyball will return to action on Tuesday, September 15, when it travels to Wheaton College (Ill.).
