Charleston, WV -- For the fifth time in the past seven years, Chip Will's Raider volleyball team has finished their season ranked in top ten of the NJCAA. The Raiders (28-8 overall/16-0 conference) finished the 2016 campaign with a four set loss to  7^th seeded Johnson County (KS) Community College; 21-25, 25-20, 21-25, 23-25.
 

After losing their first match of the tournament on Thursday, the Raiders had to win both matches on Friday to be able to make it to Championship Saturday at the Charleston Civic Center.  That they did, after wins over 13^th seeded Northeast (NE) Community College and then 9^th seeded Central (NE) Community College; both in four sets.

Grand Rapids' best point scorers, Rylee Storms (Grand Rapids, MI, Northview '15) and Lauren Wieber (Grand Rapids, MI, Kenowa Hills '15), finished their All-Region seasons with outstanding tournament numbers.  Storms averaged 4.53 kills/set with 68 kills and a .291 hitting percentage while Wieber averaged 3.33 kills/set with 50 kills and a .282 hitting percentage.  For the season the total combined for 884 kills and both had at least a .250 hitting percentage.  

Freshman, Hannah Stearns (Jenison, MI, Jenison '16), was a huge contributor as well with 29 kills and a .387 hitting percentage during the four match tournament.  She also added a team high 12 blocks.  In her final match of the season, against Johnson County, the middle hitter had her best offensive performance of the year with 13 kills and a .400 hitting percentage.

Sophomore Libero, Janie Bunge (Ottawa Lake, MI, Whiteford '15), was nothing short of amazing as usual with her defensive effort.  The 2^nd team All-Conference player racked up another 79 digs this tournament, giving her nearly 700 for the season, and over 1000 for her two year career at GRCC.  Bunge also added 17 assists and a second best 7 aces.  She also was second best with a 97.4% serving percentage.  Hailey DeKorte (Hudsonville, MI, Hudsonville '16) was nearly perfect from behind the service line with a .977 clip.  The Freshman Outside totaled 44 digs and shined in the Raiders last match against Johnson County with a team best 17 digs.

Freshman Setter, Lauren Helsen (Coopersville, MI, Coopersville '16), totaled 128 assists, 51 digs and a team high 9 aces in Charleston.  Helsen, who missed the first 14 matches of the season, finished the season with a team best 559 assists and also a team best 40 aces. 

The "stat of the year" has to go to Defensive Specialist, Kylie Frank (Chelsea, MI, Chelsea '15), who was the only Raider to play in all 133 sets this year.  The Sophomore also was our number two setter and racked up 554 assists to go along with her 241 digs, 28 aces and 11 kills. 

Even though the Raiders couldn't capture their second national title in five years, there were many great highlights and achievements that made this year very special for Raider Nation:

-Top Ten finish for fifth time in seven years
-Eighth National Tournament appearance in ten years
-Eighth Regional/District Tournament Championship in ten years
-Sixth Conference Championship in nine years and Seventh overall for GRCC
-Fourth ever undefeated Conference season and First ever 16-0 finish
-Two 10 match win streaks
-Chip Will's eighth District Coach of the Year award
-District Tournament awards: Rylee Storms (MVP), Lauren Wieber, Janie Bunge
-Six players named to All-Region or All-Conference Teams as well as an All-Freshman team player (To view a complete list of those awards click here.)

*For complete season statistics go here.  More awards still might be on the way so follow us on Twitter or Facebook at GRCC Athletics for more news and updates.