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Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Raiders Head Coach, Chip Will, earned his 300th career victory at GRCC after two wins in day one of the annual Raider Challenge.  In match one, the Raiders beat Eastern Conference foe Macomb easily in three sets, 25-13, 25-11, 25-12.  His 300th victory would come later in the day against Schoolcraft College, 25-12, 25-11, 23-25, 25-14.  The win also extended the 4th ranked Raiders win streak to 9 matches bringing their record to 15-1 overall.

In match one, the Raiders top point scorers, Kendra DeJonge and Hannah Stearns, lead their team again with 14 and 10 kills, including six each in the first set.  A total of 10 different Raiders scored at least a point in this one, including eight from Kayla Salyer (5 kills-3 blocks), seven from Ally German (4 blocks-3 kills) and five from Lena Thompson (3 kills-2 blocks).

As a team the Raiders hit at least .300 for the fifth time in their last six matches with 41 kills and just 11 errors.  Sophomore setter, Lauren Helsen, had her sixth double-double of the season with 18 assists and 10 digs while her sister Peyton Helsen led the squad with 12 digs (her 10th time with 10 plus in that category).  Sophomore DS/OH, Hailey DeKorte, had a season best 3 aces to go along with her 8 digs. 

The Raiders looked as if they would cruise to victory again in match two of the day against the Schoolcraft Ocelots, but after scoring just 12 and 11 points in the first two sets, the Ocelots weren't going to let Chip Will get his 300th win quite yet after they took set 3, 25-23.  The Raiders would regroup in set 4 and take care of business, 25-14.

The Raiders ripped off a season high 54 kills against just 8 errors against Schoolcraft, surpassing the .300 mark once again.  In sets 1 and 2 combined, the Raiders had 28 kills against just 2 kills, hitting for over .400.  Once again it was DeJonge and Stearns leading the pack in points.  DeJonge had a match high 19 kills (her second best of the season) to go along with 11 digs and an ace.  Steans had 10 kills and 2 blocks while adding a dig of her own.  Both players hit over .400.

Middle blockers, Kayla Salyer and Ally German, combined to hit over .450 with 12 kills and just one error.  German had a match/season high 6 blocks extending her block streak to 9 matches.  Freshman, Haley Peters, was also great in the match, finishing with 3 kills, 2 blocks and 2 digs.

The Helsen sisters were the Raiders leading diggers once again combining for 27 of the Raiders 72 total. Lauren had a team high 16 digs and 23 assists while Peyton had 11 digs and an ace.  Freshman setter, Autumn Severn, finished with a career high 18 assists and 9 digs (her second best of the season).

Chips 300th victory comes in his 11th season as head coach of the Raiders. The win makes him 300-74 overall, averaging 29 wins and just 7 losses a year.  Will's team have surpassed 30 wins in 5 seasons, including a 39-1 record when his team went on to win the National Championship in 2012.  In his first 10 years at GRCC, he has led his team to six conference championships, eight regional/district championships, and eight appearances in the national tournament (five of which ended up Top 10 finishes).

Will has also been named Coach of the Year on 18 different occasions. He was District Coach of the Year eight times, Conference five times, MCCAA four times and NJCAA Coach of the Year one time.  

For complete list of Chip Will's history as a coach click here.

The Raiders will conclude the Raider Challenge with a couple more matches against Eastern Conference teams today.  At noon they will take on Alpena Community College and at 4pm they will take on Oakland Community College.  Oakland is currently on a 9 match win streak and sits a top their conference with a 15-4 record.