WBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association

Trailer Dog · October 18, 2008, 01:06:25 PM

NCAA record crowd sees Calvin knock off Hope
An NCAA Division III regular season volleyball record crowd of 2,307 witnessed a five-set thriller Friday at DeVos Fieldhouse, as Calvin came from behind to hand Hope its first MIAA loss. The previous NCAA regular season record crowd was 1,850 when Roanoke (Va.) College defeated Washington and Lee (Va.) on Oct. 25, 2000.

Volleyball
Calvin 17th d. Hope 12th 25-20, 23-25, 13-25, 25-13, 15-13

Did not see this coming ... especially after the 25-13 shellacking Calvin took in the 3rd set. I'm glad they played in Hope's main arena instead of the side gym.

WWWRHH · October 21, 2008, 05:36:00 PM

As mentioned on the men's side, DIII News (not to be confused with D3hoops.com) has ranked Baldwin Wallace, a team Hope beat by 20 in the second round of the '08 playoffs, #1 in its pre-season poll. The Dutch were ranked only 23rd.

It appears that B-W was ranked #1 because they have 9 returnees from their 12 player rotation. However, the Dutch have 7 of their top 12 returning. In fact, Hope's returning players out scored and out rebounded BWs returing players from last year's game. Hope completely dominated BWs post players (rebounding margin 59-23) and the Dutch should remain strong in middle again this year. Snikkers and Knox combined for 25 points and at least 17 rebounds (there were 11 mystery "team" rebounds assigned) in only a combined 38 mins. of playing time.

http://www.hope.edu/pr/athletics/wbb/

The Dutch cupboard is far from bare. They are in a much better position than most teams that lose four starters.

The two rotation system that Morehouse uses prepares players for the future and blurs the line between starters and subs. Last year, Snikkers, Kopke, Knox and Cowen would most likely have started for almost, if not all, the teams Hope faced.

They return:

3 of the top 5 scorers and 6 of the top 10,

The top two, and 3 of the top 4, rebounders,

4 of the top 5 shot blockers, and

The top two, and 3 of the top 5, free throws taken (and made).

Coach Morehouse could start Green, Snikkers, Knox, Kopke and Cowen and still have five players with real varsity playing time to draw on - including DeKuiper, Bruinsma and Geers. Not many D3 teams have 6-1, 6-2 and 6-3 players (Bruinsma, Knox and Snikkers) with real basketball skills.

Some players will have to step up and lead, but there is real reason for optimism heading into the season.

Although DIII news advertises itself as the best publication covering the D III level, I expect that a truly informed source such as this site will show a little more respect for the Dutch program in its initial poll

.

Dark Knight · October 22, 2008, 09:41:13 PM

In that recent squeaker of a win Calvin had at Hope, freshman Rebecca Kamp had an amazing 25 kills and 9 blocks, with a .407 hitting percentage. For her effort she received not only her second MIAA player of the week award but also her second national DIII player of the week award. It is the fifth such award a Calvin player has received.

Currently Kamp is leading DIII in hitting percentage.

Congrats!

oldknight · October 23, 2008, 04:20:54 PM

The Lady Knights have their team roster up and the varsity team shows four freshman. One of those freshmen is a 5'9" guard from Haslett--Cassie Kopke. Hope's senior guard, Kaitlyn Kopke is also from Haslett. Are these two girls sisters? If so, how did that happen? Did she have car trouble on her way to Holland, pull off the East Beltline to ask for help, and then realize Knollcrest was the place for her?

The roster link for Calvin is:
http://www.calvin.edu/sports/womens/basketball/roster.htm

Hope's women's team is also up:
http://www.hope.edu/pr/athletics/wbb/wbbrost.html

WWWRHH · October 23, 2008, 05:00:08 PM

They are sisters - I don't think there are any dramatic reasons for her decision other than feeling Calvin was the best overall choice for her.

I am surprised that Calvin did not bring in more height to provide some help on the boards. I think Hope continues to have an advantage in the post, but with the graduation of Warsen and O'Hare's transfer, they do not have the same level of experienced depth as last year.

sac · October 24, 2008, 12:01:46 AM

The Hope PR department didn't mince words about what they tought of the D3 news poll.

http://www.hope.edu/pr/athletics/wbb/

WWWRHH · October 28, 2008, 01:37:36 PM

Does anyone have information on Albion's roster. Last year's team deserved to be selected for the playoffs and could have made a nice run with the way they were playing at the end of the season.

They have a great group of guards returning, but they lost four F/Cs between 6-0 and 6-2 that received almost all of the mins. in the middle. The five seniors (forwards plus a guard) accounted for more than half their points and over two-thirds of the rebounds.

Have the Britons been able to recruit some solid post players or will they have to alter their style of play to make use of the available talent?

oldknight · October 30, 2008, 07:24:04 PM

D3hoops.com poll is up and it ranks UW-Whitewater No. 1. Pat's poll gives Hope more respect than did Women's DIII News by putting the Dutch at No. 8. Calvin's women got 1 vote.

Flea · October 30, 2008, 10:03:21 PM

Quote from: WWWRHH on October 23, 2008, 05:00:08 PM

I am surprised that Calvin did not bring in more height to provide some help on the boards.

My guess is that it was not due to a lack of desire to bring in some height.

Trailer Dog · October 30, 2008, 10:12:36 PM

AVCA Division III Coaches top-25: Oct 28

14th Calvin
20th Hope

gottaluvhoops · October 31, 2008, 10:41:48 AM

Congrats to both teams for being ranked! It should be interesting when those two teams meet, as it always is!

Oval · October 31, 2008, 03:58:11 PM

Quote from: Trailer Dog on October 18, 2008, 01:06:25 PM
NCAA record crowd sees Calvin knock off Hope
An NCAA Division III regular season volleyball record crowd of 2,307 witnessed a five-set thriller Friday at DeVos Fieldhouse, as Calvin came from behind to hand Hope its first MIAA loss. The previous NCAA regular season record crowd was 1,850 when Roanoke (Va.) College defeated Washington and Lee (Va.) on Oct. 25, 2000.

Volleyball
Calvin 17th d. Hope 12th 25-20, 23-25, 13-25, 25-13, 15-13

Did not see this coming ... especially after the 25-13 shellacking Calvin took in the 3rd set. I'm glad they played in Hope's main arena instead of the side gym.

It's great to see the volleyball match in the big gym. Last season the were overflow in the side gym.

realist · October 31, 2008, 04:47:59 PM

Looking at the schedule Calvin's Homecoming game this year is Feb. 21st versus Hope. This is also dedication weekend for the new fieldhous complex. I think I read the goal is to set a new attendance record for D3 women's bball that day.

WWWRHH · October 31, 2008, 05:10:39 PM

Before I move on to basketball.....

Good Luck Volleyball team. A good tournament run would be the perfect transition to the basketball season. Although basketball tends to get the most attention at Hope, I know the other athletes are working just as hard and often providing just as entertaining and exciting performance as the high profile sports.

As I expected, D3hoops ranked the Dutch in the top ten. I think number eight is reasonable - we will find out as the season progresses.

It looks like several top teams return strong core lineups.

Since last years "second string" usually performed at least as well as the starters, Hope should match up well with anyone at the beginning of the game and should do very well in the conference as the other top teams lost key players as well.

However (and I may be repeating myself from earlier postings) the team probably is not quite as deep this year. We fans are quite familar with the top seven or eight players, but the backups at the 1, 3 and 5 positions will not bring the experience (Kopke, Knox, O'Hare, Cowen) or reputation (Snikkers) as was the case last year. It appears unlikely that players like Knox and Bruinsma will be starting the season on the third unit. My impression is that unlike past years, the team is deeper at the backcourt positions than in the post. Hopefully, Kutne and the post players brought up from JV develop and become ready to step up to bigger roles.

Flea · November 02, 2008, 03:00:38 PM

Quote from: realist on October 31, 2008, 04:47:59 PM
Looking at the schedule Calvin's Homecoming game this year is Feb. 21st versus Hope. This is also dedication weekend for the new fieldhous complex. I think I read the goal is to set a new attendance record for D3 women's bball that day.

The varsity play first followed by the junior varsity. Apparently there's a get together next to the gym between games ... everyone's invited.