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Sept. 23, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team won its sixth-straight match and gained sole possession of first place in the conference after a 3-0 sweep over the visitors from Kalamazoo Valley Community College on Thursday.

The No. 13-ranked Raiders led wire-to-wire in the opening set, leading by as many as 10, and won 25-17.  The next two sets were a bit closer, but GRCC prevailed 25-19, then 25-22.  The win improved the Raiders record to 9-5 overall and 6-0 in the MCCAA Western Conference. Kalamazoo Valley falls to 5-9 and 5-1 in the conference.

Setter Shannon Russell shined as she was cheered on by former teammates from West Catholic High School.  Russell, a freshman from Grand Rapids, contributed in almost every aspect of the match, totaling 31 assists, 3 kills, 6 digs, 2 blocks and an ace.

"I thought we played really well as a team," Russell said.  "Everyone did their jobs leading to a great team win. It was really nice having a big crowd there to support us and the atmosphere, including my former Falcon team."

Annie Holesinger, a sophomore from Rockford, once again led the Raiders in the kill column, finishing with 12 on 20 attempts for a solid .400 hitting clip. She also added two blocks.

Third year middle hitter Kylie Oberlin, of Fruitport, tallied nine kills including the match winner, while freshman right-side hitter Karissa Ferry finished with eight kills, including five in the opening set.

Statistical Leaders:

-- Kills: Holesinger, 12; Oberlin, 9; Ferry, 8; Audrey Torres, 6.
-- Assists: Russell, 31; Torres, 3.
-- Digs: Ola Nowak, 14; Torres and Kara Hecht, 9; Russell, 6.
-- Blocks: Holesinger and Russell, 2; Oberlin and Morgan Fugate, 1.
-- Aces: Torres, 5; Audrey Gower, Russell and Hecht, 1.

Conference play resumes for GRCC on Sept. 28, as the team travels to Lansing Community College for a 6:30 p.m. start time.  The Stars currently sit in fifth place in the conference.