2017 NCAA TOURNAMENT – DIVISION III
- November 9-18
- Quarterfinals
- Bracket/Results
The 2017 NCAA Division III semifinals have been determined following the quarterfinal round on Thursday, November 16. The final four is set to being Friday, November 17 with Wittenberg, Calvin, Ithaca and Claremont-M-S.
Semifinal Matches
- #1 Wittenberg vs. #5 Calvin
- #3 Claremont-M-S vs. #7 Ithaca
Both Wittenberg and Calvin swept their opponents while Ithaca and Claremont-M-S needed four sets to move into the next round.
Wittenberg and Calvin have faced each other 27 times in the past, with Calvin leading the charge with 14-13 wins all-time.
Wittenberg def. Swarthmore 3-0, (25-15, 29-27, 25-19)
Wittenberg returns to the semifinals for the sixth time in school history after their sweep over Swarthmore. This is the third time in six years that Wittenberg has advanced to the final four as they won the national title in 2011 and posted a second place finish in 2015.
For Wittenberg, Maddie Fischer led the charge with 13 kills in the sweep while Taylor Yontz picked up 21 digs. Aubrey Cox added in another 10 kills.
Calvin def. Johnson & Wales (R.I.) 3-0, (25-21, 25-19, 26-24)
The win over Johnson & Wales puts Calvin up against the #1 seeded Wittenberg in the semifinals and ends a great season for Johnson & Wales who finished their season with a 35-1 record. This is Calvin’s 27th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and 14th straight. Calvin has won three national titles with their most recent coming last season.
Three Calvin players posted double-doubles – Sarah Devries with 19 kills and 11 digs, Anna Kamp with 13 kills and 12 digs while Jenna Lodewyk dished out 34 assists and 11 digs. In the backcourt, Keilahna Castillo and Emily Blankespoor picked up 19 and 11 digs, respectively.
Ithaca def. Emory 3-1, (13-25, 25-17, 26-24, 28-26)
Ithaca downed #2 seeded Emory in four-sets after dropping their first set. This is Ithaca’s first final four appearance since 1995 and their third in program history. 2017 marks the first time in program history that Ithaca has won four NCAA Tournament matches in one season as their previous runs to the final four came with a much smaller opponent field.
Ithaca was led by Amanda Cerruti and Reagan Stone with 13 kills while Cerruti added in six blocks. Joelle Goldstein added another 11 kills and 15 digs for a double-double.
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps def. Gustavus-Adolphus 3-1, (16-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-14)
After a slow start in the first set, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps made a tremendous comeback to down Gustavus-Adolphus in four. This is the first time in program history that Claremont-M-S has advance to the final four of the NCAA Tournament.
Margaux Arntson led the way for Claremont-M-S with 16 kills while Shelbi Stein added another 12 kills and seven block assists. Crystal Anderson put down 10 kills and 10 digs. Both setters posted double-doubles in the wins – Clara Madsen with 22 assists and 12 digs while Phoebe Madsen posted 19 assists and 12 digs. From the back row, Mikena Werner, Sarah Tritschler and Isabelle Taylor picked up 21, 17 and 11 digs in the win.
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