Calvin University's official student newspaper since 1907

Calvin University Chimes

Since 1907
Calvin University's official student newspaper since 1907

Calvin University Chimes

Calvin University's official student newspaper since 1907

Calvin University Chimes

Volleyball still undefeated through first MIAA games

Photo courtesy calvin.edu.
Photo courtesy calvin.edu.

The Calvin women’s volleyball team remained undefeated on the season as they took to conference play last week, defeating Albion, Alma and Olivet over the course of four days. The Knights didn’t lose a single set, coming away with three-set victories in each MIAA match.

The Knights began the week with a game against Albion, where the student supporters came in force. The score was close early on, but once the Calvin ladies scored their ninth point, they never looked back.

Eventually winning the first set 25-15, the team really settled in, winning the next two sets with a score of 25-9. Sophomore Maggie Kamp led the way with 12 kills, while junior Emily Crowe had nine and senior Megan Rietema had eight.

Rietema also provided 33 assists, and senior libero Kristi Zietse supported from the back row, providing 15 digs.

“It definitely sets the tone; we have to really push ourselves to get better … we have a ton of fun and we refuse to lose,” said Zietse.

Coach Warners thought similarly, adding, “We have a lot of potential. We need to stay intense and focused no matter who we play.”

Later in the week, the Knights took to the road and headed to Alma.  The team had to work more defensively against the Scots, compiling 72 digs and 14 blocks in the game.

Zietse led the team in digs with 24 and Rietema followed with 16.  Freshman Laura Danhoff and Junior Stacey Kamp spent good time at the net, collecting 5 and 4 block-assists respectively.

This did not stop the Knights from putting on another killer display as Maggie Kamp tied a career-best 19 kills, while Rietema supplied 33 assists.  The Scots made it a close match, but the Knights pulled it off with victories of eight, six and nine points in the respective sets.

Freshman Laura Danhoff, who has played in all of the games so far, is finding her teammates to be very helpful. “Megan Rietema and Stacey Kamp are really helping me adjust and are really encouraging,” she said.

The Knights had little time to settle down upon returning as they took on the Olivet Comets at home the next day. It looked like nothing was holding them back, as they took the first set with a commanding 25-10 victory.

Olivet battled to stay in the game at the beginning of the second set, but after an energized kill from Stacey Kamp, Calvin never looked back, winning the second set 25-11 and the third 25-10.

Maggie Kamp continued to bring her game, finishing with 16 kills; Danhoff followed with 9. Rietema continually put her teammates in good position as she had 31 assists.

The next home game the Knights will play is a big one against rivals Hope College on Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m.

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