The Alma College Volleyball team faced a daunting challenge on Tuesday evening as they were in Grand Rapids to take on #1 ranked Calvin College, currently the hottest team in the country.

The Scots didn't shy away from the talented Knights, but were unable to overcome the odds, succumbing by a score of 3-0 (9-25, 17-25, 17-25). With the loss, Alma is now 8-7 in the MIAA and 15-16 overall, while Calvin sits atop the MIAA with a mark of 14-1 and are 24-3 in 2014.

"We started a little slow and nervous against a great team in an intimidating atmosphere," remarked Alma Head Coach Sarah Dehring. "If we stop a few runs, we can compete with the best. We cannot decide when we want to play to our potential and that hurts us ... we just need to relax and play."

The Knights jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first set and increased the margin to 15-6 before an Alma timeout. Calvin extended it to 22-7 before finally closing out the 25-9 victory. The second set saw the Scots come out of the gate flying and finding their intensity.

Alma scored the first two points of set two and had leads of 3-1, 9-6 and eventually 14-9 after a kill by So. RS/OH Kendall Sells (Muskegon/Mona Shores) that led to a Calvin timeout. However, Calvin is #1 for a reason and proceeded to score the next six points to take a 15-14 lead. Alma would tie it with the next point but the Knights scored the subsequent four and was able to crunch out the 25-17 win.

In set three, Calvin scored the first five points and then had a 8-2 advantage. However, the Scots really couldn't put together a run and trailed by as much as 11 (23-12) before trying to get back into it. Alma cut the deficit to 24-17 before Calvin notched the last point and earned the 3-0 match triumph.

Jr. OH/MH Maggie Miller (Frankfort/Frankfort) had a team-high six kills, while Jr. OH/DS Hannah Guilford (Hartland/Hartland) added five. So. S Mary Dulzo (Novi/Mercy) paced Alma with 16 assists, while Guilford and So. DS/L Molly Lark (Middleville/Thornapple-Kellogg) had nine and eight digs respectively.

The Scots are tied with Saint Mary's at 8-7 in the MIAA with one regular season match remaining. Alma hosts Kalamazoo on Friday evening, while the Belles travel to Hope College to take on the Flying Dutch. If Alma and SMC finished tied in the standings, the Scots would advance to the playoffs due to winning the two head to head matches.

Alma's match starts at 7:00 p.m. Friday night at the Art Smith Arena and it will be Senior Night 2014.