Oct. 14, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team clinched its 10th conference title with a 3-0 sweep over visiting Ancilla College on Thursday.
The Chargers jumped off to a 7-0 lead, but the Raiders – ranked sixth in the nation -- would pull ahead at 14-13 and not trail for the remainder of the match. GRCC, now winners of 14 in a row, cruised to the victory, 25-19, 25-13, 25-14.
"Feels great to be conference champions again," head coach Chip Will said. "Last year was tough, not knowing if we would even have a season during the COVID pandemic. I'm so proud of this group of ladies and I believe they have what it takes to go a long way this year. It's going to be fun with the postseason right around the corner."
Nine of the 10 GRCC conference championships have come with Will at the helm, with the other in 1999. Will's Raiders have now won five of the past six conference titles.
The win was career victory 402 for Will, who celebrated the milestone last week with family and alumni cheering on.
GRCC on Thursday used all of its available players, including three in the libero position.
Ola Nowak,
Audrey Gower and
Charlie Baker all saw action in the opposite color jersey while Nowak moved around the court, playing in the middle and on the outside.
The trio of freshmen led the way. Audrey Torres and Eliza Thelen combined for 15 kills and each hit over .400. Karissa Ferry added seven kills and two blocks. Nowak had a career high four kills playing the outside position for the first time.
The win improves GRCC's record to 17-5, and 11-0 in the MCCAA Western Conference.
By earning the title, the Raiders will host the MCCAA Championship this year on Oct. 30 against the Eastern Conference champion.
Statistical Leaders:
-- Kills: Torres, 9; Ferry, 7; Thelen, 6.
-- Assists: Shannon Russell, 28; Nowak, 2.
-- Digs: Audrey Gower and Russell, 9; Charlie Baker and Torres, 5.
-- Blocks: Alena Visnovsky, 3; Rylee VanPattern and Ferry, 2.
-- Aces: Russell and Baker, 3.
The Raiders hit the road on Oct. 19 to take on Kellogg Community College. In their first meeting this season, the Raiders won in four sets. First serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
