HOLLAND, Mich. -- Calvin's national semifinal matchup on Friday provided fans with a rematch of the 2010 national championship between the Knights and the Eagles of Emory. Calvin defeated Emory in four sets in 2010. On Friday, the Knights again defeated the Eagles, this time in three sets at 25-17, 25-21, 25-22. With the win, Calvin advances to the national championship final for the third time four years.
Calvin will face Cal Lutheran in the national championship final.In the first set Friday night against Emory, the teams were tied at 10-10 before a 4-0 run gave the Knights a 14-10 advantage. Calvin then took a 19-14 lead on a kill from freshman Laura Danhoff which forced the Eagles into a timeout.
The Knights continued to hold the lead and closed out the first set with a solo block by junior Emily Crowe, claiming the 25-17 victory.
Calvin hit .400 in the opening set while also playing strong defense, recording three blocks.
The second set saw Calvin take an early lead before the Eagles knotted the set at 11-11 on three consecutive points.
The Knights then took their largest lead of the set at 21-16 after a pair of kills from sophomore Maggie Kamp. After an Emory timeout, Calvin closed out the second set 25-21.
The third set was played very closely. Both teams saw two point leads early, Emory at 6-4 and Calvin at 13-11. The Knights again took a two-point advantage at 24-22, and with a service ace from sophomore Jamie Kooiman, earned a 25-22 third-set victory and the sweep.
Kamp led the Knights on offense with 20 kills at a hitting percentage of .447 while adding nine digs. Senior Megan Rietema had 29 assists, 10 digs, and eight kills, while senior Kristen Zietse led Calvin with 13 digs.
