Grand Rapids, Mich -- The NJCAA's eighth ranked GRCC Raider volleyball team is all set to host their annual Raider Challenge this weekend. Thirteen other teams from the Region travel to Grand Rapids this Saturday and Sunday with each facing four schools over both days.
At 6-0 in MCCAA West play after a 3-0 win over Lake Michigan College and 16-3 overall, the defending National Champion Raiders are likely the toughest opponent on paper any one team may face, but each team is bringing tremendous talent in an effort to head home 4-0.
GRCC will first face Lakeland Community College on Saturday at 1:30PM. Lakeland currently rests in sixth place in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference with a 5-17 overall record while 1-5 in conference play. Lakeland is led by sophomore outside hitter Alyssa Woltman. Woltman recorded 175 kills and 14 blocks in 61 sets thus far in 2013.
Freshman middle blocker Shelby Smith trails Woltman with 127 kills but has amassed a jaw dropping 177 blocks this season. Freshman middle blocker Amanda Maffo has also defended the net exceedingly well this season as she has recorded 55 blocks--47 solos.
Combined those two have out blocked GRCC's team 232 to 113.5.
The Raiders 3:00 PM game pairs them with Genessee Community College's Cougars. The Cougars, now 4-0 in conference play and 14-13 overall, are led offensively by sophomore outside Michelle Nagle with 242 kills. Nagle's 202 digs also make her a defensive threat to each they face. Andrea Pursel, a sophomore middle hitter has recorded 155 kills and 47 blocks to keep the Cougars above .500 this season.
Sunday at 11:30 AM GRCC faces a tough 12-4 Moraine Valley team who, while unranked after dropping out of the poll at 14 last week, is still making a splash in the NJCAA DII poll receiving votes in the last poll. Three of their losses have come by way of top 20 ranked teams; the third by Owens Community College, a perennial powerhouse in women's volleyball.
Moraine Valley is led offensively by sophomore setter Kara Kentner who leads her team in assists and kills with 276 and 163 respectively. Sophomore outside Gina Ryan trails with 125 kills while adding 17 blocks.
GRCC's last match at 2:30 on Sunday squares them up with St. Clair County Community College who brings a 17-4 overall record and national poll votes to the Raider Challenge. All four of St. Clair's losses have been delivered by ranked or vote receiving opponents in 2013.
St. Clair is led by sophomore outside Katie Bearse with 131 kills and 41 blocks. St. Clair averages just under 10 kills per set in 2013.
Though they face an onslaught of highly skilled opponents, the Raiders have proved time and time again that they are up for the challenge. The reigning champs have now won 30+ consecutive conference matches and have lost only a handful of matches over the course of the past 2 years, figures they'll look to build on this weekend. The young Raiders squad are still developing their level of chemistry, but look to challenge again for a bid at the national tournament. A strong performance at their host event could see them boosted significantly in the NJCAA's national polls.
