ANGOLA, Ind. -- For the first time in a decade, the Calvin University women's basketball team clinched the MIAA Tournament Title.

The third-seeded Knights capped off a thrilling tournament run Saturday night with a decisive 70-57 victory over No. 11 Trine in the MIAA Tournament final, securing their first conference tournament championship since 2015 and punching their ticket to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time in eight years.

A Strong Start

Calvin’s tournament journey began with a dominant 75-61 victory over Adrian in the first round. The Knights set the tone early with an aggressive offensive attack, building a comfortable lead by halftime. Anna Fernandez led the scoring effort with 15 points, while Valerie Dirkse controlled the boards with nine rebounds. The win gave Calvin momentum heading into the semifinals, where they would face their longtime rivals.

A Rivalry Rewritten

The Knights’ path to the championship continued with a monumental upset on Friday night, as they stunned No. 19 Hope College, 66-62, in the tournament semifinals. The win not only propelled Calvin into the championship game but also shattered a 20-game losing streak to their archrivals, dating back to 2017.

Finishing the Job

Calvin carried that momentum into Saturday’s final against Trine, controlling the game from the outset. The Knights’ defense stifled the Thunder’s potent offense, while their balanced scoring attack kept Trine on its heels throughout the contest.

Fernandez once again led the way with 17 points, while Dirkse pulled down another nine rebounds and altered shots at the rim. The Knights took a double-digit lead in the second half and never looked back.

Dancing Once Again

With the victory, Calvin has secured the MIAA’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament, marking the program’s first appearance in the national tournament since 2017. The Knights will learn their opponent and destination on Monday at 2:30 p.m. during the NCAA selection show.