WBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association

[bballforever]

We were talking to some of the Hope bball alumni, part of the crew who were always ranked high in pre-season polls.  It is a funny thing.  They said it was an honor but every year it got less fun because there was so much more pressure, both team and individual.  When they were underclassmen, not alot of expectations but as seniors, it got intense.

So Calvin seniors enjoy the ride!!!!

[sac]

women's poll

1. Calvin (8) 8 pts.
2. Hope (1) 15 pts.
3. Albion 26.
4. Adrian 34.
5. Olivet 37.
6. Saint Mary's 43.
7. Alma 46.
8. Trine 51.
9. Kalamazoo 64.

[northb]

From Calvin's email sports report:

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Calvin 65, Ferris State 56
(Exhibition Game)



BIG RAPIDS - The Calvin women's basketball team picked up a 65-56 exhibition game victory at Division II Ferris State University Friday night.



Senior Carissa Verkaik (Holland Christian HS) had 16 points, sophomore Kayla Engelhard (Saginaw Valley Lutheran HS) 14 points and sophomore Breanna Verkaik (Holland Christian HS) nine points to lead the Knights.



Calvin went 14-of-16 at the free throw line and pulled away over the final four minutes by nailing eight free throws.



Calvin officially opens its season on November 16 against St. Thomas in a tournament hosted by Millikin University.

[Calvinhoops]

Impressive beating the preseason number one team in the division two GLIAC......both Verkaiks deliver!   I wonder how much better the Knights will be when Hilbrands gets back from volleyball?

[northb]

Impressive beating the preseason number one team in the division two GLIAC......both Verkaiks deliver!   I wonder how much better the Knights will be when Hilbrands gets back from volleyball?

Could be a while yet--Calvin's Volleyball team beat Hope 3-2 for the MIAA Tournament Championship, and will now start a run in the National Championship Tournament.

[bballforever]

Verkaik - another first team All American (D3 Hoops) 

[Roundball999]

Interesting article in NCAA's Champion magazine about ACL tears; the injury and rehab of Hope's Meredith Kussmaul is featured along with several other athletes.  See http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/03aaab68#/03aaab68/40

The good news is that she's been cleared to play and reportedly playing well; great to hear for Dutch fans and a testament to her hard work.

On a related note, the Dutch had their first scrimmage last night, against Ferris.  Not a game format so there was no "winner", but heard Hope had the better of the play.

[bballforever]

Calvin #1 in both Women'r bball and vball.  Awesome for MIAA!!

[Roundball999]

Looking forward to the start of the season this week.  Calvin is deservedly the MIAA favorite, but I like Hope's team too and like last year, it wouldn't surprise me to see the Dutch sneak a win.

Hope's roster is an nice blend of senior experience and young talent.  Not sure who will start but it'll probably be some combination of:

Liz Ellis, 5'7" Sr.: starter for sure; 2-time MIAA defensive player of the year and 1st team MIAA, 10.7 ppg, very quick and excellent with the ball, drives the lane and shoots the 3 well.
Courtney Kust, 5'10" Sr.: another sure starter; also 1st team MIAA, led Hope with 10.9 ppg and 5.9 rpg, very strong and a threat inside and from the arc.
Meredith Kussmaul, 6'1" Sr.: will probably start if fully recovered from ACL, wouldn't be surprise if she comes off the bench for a while.  Strong in the post, shot 57% before injury but also led Hope at 40% from 3 pt line.
Rebekah Llorens, 6'1" So.: strong first season in the post, scored 9 ppg and 5.5 rpg in only 16 minutes per game, goes hard to the basket and draws fouls, named to a couple all tournament teams.
Hannah Doell 6'1" So.: was coming on strong with key contributions in the upset over Calvin before breaking arm.  A fast do-everything G/F, matchup nightmare.
Megan Kelly, 5'8" Jr.: A solid guard, good 3 pt shooter and comes up with a lot of steals.  Steadily improved throughout the year and got a couple of starts toward the end of the year.
Ashley Bauman, 6'1" Sr.: solid post player, started most games after Kussmaul went down.

The Dutch feature 8 players at 6' or taller.  I would expect Kristen Slotman, Liz Siepker, and Emily Klauka to be in the rotation inside, and 3 pt threat Brittany Berry to see time outside.  Not too familiar with the incoming freshman and rising JV players so not sure if any will break into the rotation.

[bballfan13]

Anyone know what happened to Steffani Snikkers at Hope this year?

[Roundball999]

Anyone know what happened to Steffani Snikkers at Hope this year?

Not 100% sure, but I heard she is recovering from some sort of injury.  Apparently didn't participate in Fall workouts or tryouts.

[oldknight]

Anyone know what happened to Steffani Snikkers at Hope this year?

Not 100% sure, but I heard she is recovering from some sort of injury.  Apparently didn't participate in Fall workouts or tryouts.

Between her junior and senior years in high school, Steffani had knee surgery (going from dim memory it was an MCL), and she recovered in time to play her last year of prep ball. This past summer she tore the ACL in the other knee. She then enrolled at GVSU.

[Roundball999]

Anyone know what happened to Steffani Snikkers at Hope this year?

Not 100% sure, but I heard she is recovering from some sort of injury.  Apparently didn't participate in Fall workouts or tryouts.

Between her junior and senior years in high school, Steffani had knee surgery (going from dim memory it was an MCL), and she recovered in time to play her last year of prep ball. This past summer she tore the ACL in the other knee. She then enrolled at GVSU.

GVSU?  I'm told she's enrolled at Hope, not playing at the moment but participating in some JV team activities, doing work study, etc..

[pointlem]

OldKnight, like Sac, is one of our most esteemed and credible information sources on this board, but OldKnight may want to check his source for Steffani Snikkers' whereabouts.  (Perhaps she did enroll at GVSU, but she is a Hope student.)

Anyone know what happened to Steffani Snikkers at Hope this year?

Not 100% sure, but I heard she is recovering from some sort of injury.  Apparently didn't participate in Fall workouts or tryouts.

Between her junior and senior years in high school, Steffani had knee surgery (going from dim memory it was an MCL), and she recovered in time to play her last year of prep ball. This past summer she tore the ACL in the other knee. She then enrolled at GVSU.

GVSU?  I'm told she's enrolled at Hope, not playing at the moment but participating in some JV team activities, doing work study, etc..

[bballforever]

Olivet played GVSU in an exhibition game last night.  I know GVSU is down this year but it looks like Olivet held their own and played well.   Maybe another team in the mix in the MIAA.