Aug. 24, 2024, ROCKFORD, Ill. – No. 14 ranked Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team returned home on Saturday after finishing 2-2 in the annual Opening Weekend Tournament at the UW Sports Factory.

MATCH ONE:

GRCC found themselves down 6-0 in the opening set against South Mountain Community College, but found it's groove quickly and swept the Cougars 26-24, 25-16, 25-17.  Freshman outside hitter Taylor Kik led the team with 11 kills against just one hitting error.  She also had 11 digs and a team-high four aces.  Four sophomores had five or more kills; Sophia Peterson, 7; Lizzie MacIntosh, 6; Ava Schultz, 5; and Lilly Peterson, 5.  Cece Huizingh led the team with 13 digs and Ava Tarsi had the most assists with 20.

MATCH TWO:

No. 3 ranked Johnson County Community College handed the Raiders it's first loss of the season 22-25, 17-25, 24-26 despite a combined 20 kills from Kik and Ritsema.  The Raiders actually had a set point in the third set, but Johnson would go to score the final three points to win the match.  Kik (13 kills, 10 digs) and Tarsi (14 assists, 11 digs) each had double-doubles. Tarsi also led the team with three aces.

MATCH THREE:

The Raiders easily defeated Elgin Community College in three sets, 25-18, 25-11, 25-8, and had 11 of its players in the scoring column.  Sophomore Joslynne Bogner led the team in kills with six, and hit .667.  Schultz hit .429 and scored on four kills and four aces.  GRCC totaled 17 aces in the three sets, including an impressive eight by Tarsi.  Mady Jessee had five kills, an ace and a solo block. 

MATCH FOUR: 

No. 25 Enterprise State Community College won a close battle in three, including the final two sets that went 25-23.  Peterson hit .500 in the loss, with eight kills against just one hitting error.  Schultz hit a solid .333 with seven kills and just two hitting errors.  Carle Bruggema led the team with 16 assists, Tarsi the team again with four aces, and Sylvia Peterson led the team with seven digs.

Tournament Leaders

• Kills: Kik (30), Schultz (21), Peterson (18), Ritsema (16), MacIntosh (14).
• Aces: Tarsi (15), Schultz (5), Huizingh (4), Kik (4), MacIntosh (4).
• Assists: Tarsi (50), Bruggema (37), Sami Baker (19).
• Digs: Huizingh (35), Kik (25), MacIntosh (22), Peterson (16).
• Blocks: L. Peterson (10), Allie McGlothlen (4), Schultz (4). 

The volleyball team resumes play Sept. 11 with a home match against Aquinas College.  

  
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.