Aug. 23, 2025, ROCKFORD, Ill. – The 12th-ranked Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team opened its season with a strong performance against elite competition, finishing 2-2 at the NJCAA Opening Weekend Tournament. The Raiders faced four nationally ranked opponents, including three teams ranked in the top seven.

Head coach Chip Will said he was proud of how his team competed.

"This weekend was exactly the kind of challenge we want early in the season," Will said. "We played against some of the best teams in the country and showed that we belong in that conversation. Our veterans stepped up, and our freshmen made an immediate impact."

Day One – Friday, Aug. 22

Match 1 – No. 2 Johnson County 3, GRCC 2 (22-25, 20-25, 26-24, 25-15, 11-15)

GRCC nearly stunned the defending national runner-up, rallying from a 0-2 deficit before falling in five sets.

• All-American outside hitter Taylor Kik paced the offense with 16 kills.
• Transfer middle blocker Christina Williams delivered 11 kills on .417 hitting with a match-high 8 blocks.
• Freshman Vanessa Walker showcased her versatility with 9 kills, 26 assists, 11 digs, and 2 blocks.
• Freshman libero Olivia Inthout anchored the defense with 19 digs.
• Freshmen Kirstyn Lothschultz and Ella Thayer combined for 5 of the team's 11 total aces. 

Match 2 – GRCC 3, No. 24 Rock Valley 0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-22)

The Raiders rebounded in commanding fashion, hitting .296 as a team and using contributions from 14 players.

• Walker led the way with 11 kills on .563 hitting and 16 assists.
• Kik and sophomore Allie McGlothlen each added 9 kills.
• Freshman Garnet Mullet and Kik shared the team lead with 8 digs apiece.
• Sophomore setter Ava Tarsi added 14 assists, 2 aces, and 4 digs.

Day Two – Saturday, Aug. 23

Match 3 – GRCC 3, No. 6 Gulf Coast 1 (25-27, 25-17, 25-17, 25-19)

After dropping a tight opening set, the Raiders stormed back to take down sixth-ranked Gulf Coast in four sets.

• McGlothlen had a career-high 16 kills while hitting .344 with 4 blocks.
• Freshman Kaylee Kranz chipped in 11 kills.
• Walker again filled the stat sheet with 7 kills, 27 assists, 13 digs, and 6 blocks.
• Williams added 5 kills, 5 aces, and 7 blocks.
• Thayer (10 digs, 2 aces) and former high school teammate Payton Taylor (14 assists, 7 digs) also made key contributions.

Match 4 – No. 7 Kirkwood 3, GRCC 0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-22)

GRCC closed the tournament with a straight-set loss to an unbeaten Kirkwood squad, though the Raiders hit .194 and limited service errors in a competitive match.

• Williams and Kranz led the team with 10 kills each.
• Kik added 9 kills, while Tarsi and Walker each tallied 15 assists.
• Inthout posted a team-high 10 digs.

Looking Ahead

GRCC returns home to host Kellogg Community College on Thursday, Sept. 4 at the Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse for the Raiders' home opener.

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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.