District B Volleyball Tournament Website
NJCAA Women's XC National Championship Results
NJCAA Men's XC National Championship Results

Nov. 8, 2025, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – It was another strong day for Grand Rapids Community College athletics on Saturday, highlighted by the volleyball team capturing the NJCAA Great Lakes District B Championship, a pair of top finishes for men's and women's cross country at the NJCAA National Championships, and the women's basketball team wrapping up play at the Lake Land (Ill.) Tournament.

Volleyball: Raiders Capture 14th District Title, Advance to Nationals

The No. 13-ranked GRCC volleyball team continued its dominant postseason run, sweeping Southwestern Michigan College 3-0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-15) in the NJCAA Great Lakes District B Championship match. The victory secured the program's 14th district championship and a spot in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament, which takes place Nov. 19-22 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The Raiders improved to 24-2 overall and will head to nationals riding a 22-match win streak. Southwestern Michigan, the Western Conference champion, ends its season with a 29-9 record.

GRCC advanced to the title match after a pair of sweeps earlier in the tournament—defeating Mott CC on Thursday and Southwestern Michigan again on Friday.

The Raiders hit .264 as a team, including an impressive .406 in set two, but it was the defense that stole the show with 52 digs, 10 blocks, and—for the first time this season—zero reception errors.

Tournament MVP Taylor Kik led the way with 15 kills, 7 digs, and a solo block, while three teammates joined her on the All-Tournament Team:

• Ava Tarsi: 23 assists, 5 digs
• Vanessa Walker: second triple-double in as many days with 10 kills, 14 assists, and a team-high 11 digs
• Kaylee Kranz: 6 kills

Other key contributors included Christina Williams (8 kills, .500 hitting percentage, 4 blocks), Kirstyn Lothschultz (7 kills, 4 blocks), Ella Gapczynski (5 blocks), and Cece Huizingh (2 aces, 9 digs).

Women's Cross Country: 7th in Nation, Baldrica Earns All-American Honors

Running in snowy conditions at the NJCAA Division II National Championships in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the GRCC women's cross country team turned in a historic performance, finishing 7th out of 44 teams and as the second-best team in the region.

Freshman Mackenzie Baldrica led the Raiders with a 13th-place finish (19:43) in a field of 321 runners, earning Second Team NJCAA All-American and Coaches Association All-American honors.

Other Raider finishers included:

• Suzannah DiPiazza: 50th (21:06)
• Sophia DiPiazza: 58th (21:15)
• Gloria Gaston: 86th (21:55)
• Leah Williams: 97th (22:04)
• Vivian Idziak: 115th (22:15)
• Kadie Norman: 159th (23:10)

The team will wrap up its season at the NJCAA Half-Marathon Championships on Nov. 11.

Men's Cross Country: 24th at Nationals, Fourth in Region

The GRCC men's cross country team also braved the snow in Fort Dodge, placing 24th of 46 teams and finishing fourth in the region. Region rival Lansing CC repeated as national champion.

Sophomore Isaac Skinner led the way, placing 67th (28:28), followed by Nate Fahey (86th, 28:55), Corey Jones (124th, 29:31), John DiPiazza (152nd, 30:06), Brady Morrow (278th, 32:50), Sam Pugh (300th, 34:04), and Ralph White (301st, 34:09).

The Raiders will also conclude their season at the NJCAA Half-Marathon Championships on Nov. 11.

Women's Basketball: Raiders Fall to Olney Central, Now 2-2

The GRCC women's basketball team closed out its weekend at the Lake Land (Ill.) Tournament with a 76-60 loss to Olney Central College, moving to 2-2 on the season.

Avery DePagter led the Raiders with 14 points, while Tianna Daye and Harmonie Belton each added 10 points. Belton also tallied 5 rebounds and 3 steals, and Averi Peot grabbed a team-high 7 rebounds.

The Raiders will host Alpena Community College in their home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse.

For all the latest news, you can also follow the Raiders on:

  
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.