The final week of MIAA play is around the corner, as teams make their final push for the top four spots in the standings. Six teams are still mathematically in the hunt after last week, and here are notable efforts:
• Albion went 2-0 in MIAA play and 3-0 on the week, with their victory over #9 Hope Oct. 18 ending multiple streaks to the Dutch for the Brits. The victory was the first over Hope since 2004 and first three-set win over a ranked opponent. Stephani Thurner (Sr., MH/RS, Caledonia, Mich.) led Albion with 10 kills as the team held Hope to .144 hitting. On Friday, Albion defeated Olivet 3-2 and added a 3-0 non-conference win over Grace Bible. Thurner again led the Brits with 16 kills against Olivet. The 3-0 week guarantees a winning season for Albion in 2016.
• #1 Calvin continued their quest for an unblemished MIAA season with a pair of 3-0 wins last week. Against Kalamazoo Oct. 22, Calvin hit for a .294 percentage as Sarah DeVries (Fr., MH, Grand Rapids, Mich.) had 11 kills to lead the way. In their road win over Adrian Oct. 18, Calvin's Anna Kamp (So., OH, Orland Park, Ill.) had a match-best 13 kills while the Knights held Adrian to -.010 hitting.
• #9 Hope recovered from their loss to Albion with two weekend wins, starting with a 3-0 win over Trine on Senior Day. Courtney Van Houzen (Sr., MH, Traverse City, Mich.) registered 11 kills for the Dutch in her final home regular-season match. Then, in their 3-0 win over Saint Mary's Oct. 22, Sophia Hackett (Jr., S, Indianapolis, Ind.) guided a balanced attack as five players tallied at least eight kills.
• Saint Mary's went 2-1 on the week to stay tied with Adrian for the No. 3 spot in MIAA rankings. Against Alma Oct. 21, Meagan Gibbons (Sr., LS, Dallas, Texas) had her 11th double-double of the season with 12 kills and 19 digs. Gibbons was again solid in the Belles' 3-0 victory over Kalamazoo Oct. 18, posting 11 kills thanks to a .321 attack percentage to go with 11 digs.
• Alma went 2-1 against MIAA foes to stay in fifth place and within striking distance of a top four finish and a postseason berth. Against Adrian Oct. 22, Madison Smith (Sr., MB, Westphalia, Mich.) and Sasha Laykova (Sr., OH, Ternopil, Ukraine) led with 13 kills in the Scots' 3-1 Senior Day win. In their 3-0 win over Trine Oct. 18, Dakota Pelach (Jr. S/OPP, Gaylord, Mich.) had a double-double with team-bests of 10 kills and 16 assists.
School |
MIAA |
Overall |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Calvin | 13-0 | 23-0 |
| #9 Hope | 11-2 | 21-4 |
| Adrian | 8-5 | 14-11 |
| Saint Mary's | 8-5 | 12-13 |
| Alma | 7-7 | 12-13 |
| Albion | 5-8 | 16-10 |
| Olivet | 4-9 | 13-13 |
| Kalamazoo | 2-12 | 9-17 |
| Trine | 2-12 | 3-24 |
Team |
Opponents/Results |
|
|
vs. #1 Calvin Oct. 18 - L, 3-0 Recap vs. Kalamazoo Oct. 21 - W, 3-2 Recap at Alma Oct. 22 - L, 3-1 Recap |
|
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vs. #9 Hope Oct. 18 - W, 3-0 Recap at Olivet Oct. 21 - W, 3-2 Recap vs. Grace Bible Oct. 21 - W, 3-0 Recap |
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at Trine Oct. 18 - W, 3-0 Recap vs. Saint Mary's Oct. 21 - L, 3-0 Recap vs. Adrian Oct. 22 - W, 3-1 Recap |
#1 Calvin (23-0, 13-0) |
at Adrian Oct. 18 - W, 3-0 Recap at Kalamazoo Oct. 22 - W, 3-0 Recap |
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at Albion Oct. 18 - L, 3-0 Recap vs. Trine Oct. 21 - W, 3-0 Recap at Saint Mary's Oct. 22 - W, 3-0 Recap |
Kalamazoo (9-17, 2-12) |
at Saint Mary's Oct. 18 - L, 3-0 Recap at Adrian Oct. 21 - L, 3-2 Recap vs. #1 Calvin Oct. 22 - L, 3-0 Recap |
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vs. Albion Oct. 21 - L, 3-2 Recap vs. Grace Bible Oct. 21 - W, 3-0 Recap at Trine Oct. 22 - W, 3-2 Recap |
Saint Mary's (12-13, 8-5) |
vs. Kalamazoo Oct. 18 - W, 3-0 Recap at Alma Oct. 21 - W, 3-0 Recap vs. #9 Hope Oct. 22 - L, 3-0 Recap |
Trine (3-24, 2-12) |
vs. Alma Oct. 18 - L, 3-0 Recap at #9 Hope Oct. 21 - L, 3-0 Recap vs. Olivet Oct. 22 - L, 3-2 Recap |
