Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Nov. 4, 2022, PORT HURON, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team advanced to the NJCAA Region XII-District A championship after a sweep over Kalamazoo Valley Community College in the semi-finals on Friday, while the men's basketball team stayed unbeaten with an eight-point victory over Cornerstone University JV. 

Despite 15 errors in the first set, the Raiders found a way to pull out a victory one, winning 25-23.

Sets two and three were never in doubt, leading wire-to-wire in 25-11 and 25-10 wins to advance to the finals.

Alena Visnovsky had a career match with 10 kills and just one error, hitting .600 while adding three blocks.

"The close call in the first set generated a sense of urgency across the team," Visnovksy said. "We reset and played to our strengths and played for each other.  Going into tomorrow, we're focused and excited, and are ready to dial in and fight."

Eliza Thelen led another balanced attack for the Raiders with 12 kills with Audrey Torres totaling 11 and Karissa Ferry finishing with nine.

Freshmen defensive specialists, Braelyn Berry and Vienna Koenigsknecht led the defense with 10 digs each.

GRCC, ranked No. 13 in the latest NJCAA Division II poll, improved to 23-3 overall, and will play at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5.  A win ensures a trip to the NJCAA National Tournament in a couple weeks.

Meanwhile, back in Grand Rapids, Danyel Bibbs led the men's basketball team to a 102-94 win over Cornerstone University's junior varsity team to stay unbeaten.

Bibbs' 27 points led all scorers, with the starting point guard going eight-for-16 from the field and 10-of-14 from the free throw line.  He also had four of the team's 23 steals.

Despite the close score, second-year head coach Joe Fox was pleased with his team's effort.

"Fun, fast paced game against a very tough opponent," Fox said. "I was really impressed with how much effort and energy we brought defensively.  I also loved the enthusiasm for the bench.  Two fun tests are coming next week, and I look forward to seeing how the guys respond."

Freshman Bashir Neely shined in his first game of the year, scoring 17 points on an efficient seven-of-15 from the 15 while totaling a 8 steals in 26 minutes.

Jajuan Walker added 13 points on six-of-seven shooting and Rico Wade had 14 points.

The team has won its first two games, defeating Olivet College's junior varsity team 113-55 earlier in the week.

GRCC's next game is Nov. 8 at Great Lakes Christian College in Lansing.    

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Interested in supporting GRCC Athletics?  All donations can be done through GRCC Athletic's Scholarship Fund and can specify what scholarship fund the gift is going to, such as the Hofmann scholarship. If you have any questions on how to support Athletics at Grand Rapids Community College, contact the Athletic Department via phone at (616) 234-3883 or email grccathletics@grcc.edu. Any support is appreciated and goes towards assisting our student-athlete scholarship funds.