Calvin Defeats UW-L in NCAA Regional Quarterfinal

For Immediate Release: Thursday, November 8, 2007

Kenosha, Wis. – Calvin College (Mich.) earned a 3-1 (26-30, 30-26, 30-20, 30-15) victory over UW-La Crosse Thursday night in the NCAA Division III Tournament Regional Quarterfinal at Carthage College.

Calvin improves to 30-4 with the victory and will play the winner of the Carroll College (Wis.)/Carthage College match in the semifinals Friday, November 9.

"They got the momentum in game two and our passing really broke down," said UW-L Head Coach Sheila Perkins. "We didn't pass well the rest of the match and let them get away in game two."

UW-L took game one 30-26 and led 22-18 in game two before Calvin came back to win the second game, 30-26. The Knights raced out to a 9-2 lead in game three and won 30-20. The teams were tied 6-6 in game four when Calvin went on a 18-4 run to lead 24-10.

"They (Calvin) got the ball to their middle hitters and hit really well," added Perkins. "We couldn't slow them down."

UW-L, making its 11th appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament, ends its season at 24-10, finishing the careers of seniors Katelyn Carlson, Samantha Dries and Kaci O'Connell. "The seniors were good leaders for our program," said Perkins. "They got us back to the NCAA Regional and gave us all they had tonight."

Carlson led UW-L with 13 kills against Calvin while Nina Walch finished with 11 and Amber Schoonover 10. Dries had 34 assists and 11 digs for the Eagles. Brianne Stankus led UW-L with 20 digs with Carlson adding 19. UW-L hit .188 as a team.