VOLLEYBALL
Calvin 3, Ohio Northern 1
ADA, Oh. - In an early-season showdown between nationally-ranked opponents, second-ranked Calvin topped 23rd-ranked Ohio Northern in four sets at the 41st ONU Invitational.
Calvin defeated the host Polar Bears by scores of 24-26, 25-15, 25-15, 24-26.
The Knights (1-0) were forced to fight off an upset-minded Ohio Northern team that was bidding for its second win over a nationally-ranked opponent as the Polar Bears had dropped #13 Illinois Wesleyan in three sets earlier in the day.
Calvin moved out to an 18-11 lead in set one but Ohio Northern reeled off a 10-3 run to take a 22-21 lead. Calvin took the next three points to build a 24-22 advantage but the Polar Bears fought off a pair of set points with a 4-0 run to win the set 26-24.
The Knights took control in sets two and three. Calvin hit .258 in set two while limiting Ohio Northern to a .000 attack percentage. In set three Calvin pounded the ball down at a .300 clip. Set four mirrored set one in several ways. Calvin opened up an 18-13 lead but Ohio Northern (1-1) roared back to take a 22-21 and then a 23-22 lead. Unlike set one however, the Knights refused to taste defeat. Senior Sarah DeVries (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northpointe Christian HS) scored four successive points to close out the set and the match. Her opening point in the final flurry came on a lengthy rally that tied the set at 23 and came off a feed from sophomore setter Anna Schriemer (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg HS). DeVries finished the match with 17 kills, 11 assists, three solo blocks and a pair of service aces while hitting at a .424 clip.
DeVries paced a trio of Calvin attackers in double-digit kills as sophomore Kelsey Smith (Vienna, Va./Madison HS) had 13 kills while freshman Heidi Westra (Clarendon Hills, Il./Timothy Christian HS) chalked up 13 kills in her collegiate debut.
Schriemer tallied 30 assists and seven digs. Calvin amassed 15 service aces in the win with sophomore Grace Kellogg (Belleville, Mich./Plymouth Christian Academy), freshman Maria Bos (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) and freshman Aubrey Wrubel (Jenison, Mich./Jenison HS) recording four aces apiece. Wrubel also picked up 18 digs in her collegiate debut at the libero position.
COACHES QUOTE: "Ohio Northern is a very solid team that played great defense tonight," said Calvin head volleyball coach Amber Warners. "I thought we played with a lot of grit through some tough moments and never gave up on any balls. Our serving was tough once we settled down."
NEXT UP: Calvin will face Transylvania at 1 p.m. and Illinois Wesleyan at 3 p.m. Both matches will be played on the side court at Ohio Northern and will not feature live stats or live video coverage.
MEN'S SOCCER
Calvin 2, Illinois Wesleyan 1
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Calvin men's soccer team defeated Illinois Wesleyan in its season opener on Friday night at Zuidema Field.
The two teams came out competitively as they exchanged ball possession well into the first half.
Thirty minutes in, the Knights scored off of a set piece on Dillon Weldy's corner kick as Shay Smith faked a shot and let the ball through to Hunter Olson who blasted the ball into the net as Calvin took the 1-0 lead.
With the second half underway, the Titans struck next off of a free kick in the 57th minute to tie the game back up.
The Knights took back the lead in the 77th minute as Ian Adams connected with Alex Bowser off of a free kick and Bowser headed it in to put Calvin up 2-1.
As the Titans failed to connect on another goal, it was the Knights who walked off with the 2-1 victory.
Illinois Wesleyan out shot Calvin 7 to 6.
The Knights return to action tomorrow as they host Ohio Wesleyan at 7 p.m.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Wash. U. 3, Calvin 0
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Calvin women's Soccer team opened its season with a loss to WashU on Friday afternoon at Zuidema Field.
WashU set the pace early with just under three minutes into the contest as Kristen Reikersdorfer found Gabbie Cesarone and she connected with the back of the net to take the early 1-0 lead.
It didn't take long for the Bears to strike again as Ariana Miles headed one past Calvin's keeper to give WashU the 2-0 edge.
Thirteen minutes into the half, Elle DeConinck found the back of the net off of an attempted cross to make it a 3-0 contest.
The Knights came close to multiple goal opportunities however, they were not able to connect with the net and as the half closed out, the Bears maintained its 3-0 lead.
Throughout the second half, both teams battled back and forth as neither were able to connect with the net and the Bears walked away with the 3-0 victory.
WashU outshot Calvin 16 to 10.
The Knights return to action tomorrow as they host George Fox at 4 p.m.
WOMEN'S GOLF
BRISTOL, Wisc. - Calvin opened its season at the Battle of the Border Challenge hosted by Carthage College at the Bristol Oaks Golf Club.
After one day of competition, Calvin is in seventh place in a field of 13 teams with a team score of 347 strokes.
Sophomore Emma Dykhouse (Byron Center, Mich./South Christian HS) led the Knights with a round of 80 that has her tied for ninth place individually.
Sophomore Kaylee Hirschman (Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Ledge HS) had a strong day with a round of 87. Junior Meredith Bult (Wheaton, Il./Wheaton Academy HS) was right behind with a round of 89. Junior Linnea McDonnough (Pentwater, Mich./Pentwater HS) and freshman Jericha Scharphorn (Hudsonville, Mich./Hudsonville HS) had rounds of 91.
Action continues on Saturday.
MEN'S GOLF
MARSHALL, Mich. - Through one day of competition at the Olivet College Lou Collins Memorial Tournament, Calvin sits in eighth place with a team score of 312 strokes. The two-day, 36-hole tournament is being held at the Bedford Valley Country Club.
Sophomore Kasen Anderson (Stillwater, MN/St. Croix Preparatory HS) paced the Knights with a one-under par round of 71 that has him in second place heading into Saturday's final round of competition.
Junior Sam Holland (Novi, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central HS) was next with a 78. Sophomore Ben Morse (North Prairie, Wisc./Mukwonago HS) had an 81 while junior Joshua Lansky (Park City, UT/Park City HS) and senior Austin Umlauf (Lowell, Ind./Hanover Central HS) had rounds of 82.
Action continues on Saturday.
