Sept. 15, 2025, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College volleyball opened conference play in dominant fashion Monday night, while the men's soccer team battled to a hard-fought draw in a non-conference match.

Volleyball

The 12th-ranked Raiders improved to 4-2 overall and 1-0 in conference after a 3-1 victory over Delta College, winning by scores of 25-13, 25-12, 21-25, 25-13.

GRCC controlled the first two sets with explosive offensive runs, hitting .393 in the opening frame and a season-high .538 in the second. Delta held a brief 8-5 lead in set two before the Raiders answered with an 11-0 run to take command.

The Pioneers rallied in the third, closing the set on a 7-1 run to force another frame, but GRCC quickly reasserted itself in the fourth. Jersey VanderWall capped the night with her third service ace to close out the match.

Despite the third-set setback, GRCC still finished with an efficient .264 attack percentage, recording 49 total kills and just two reception errors. All 17 players saw the floor, with 14 contributing at least one point.

Sophomore All-American Taylor Kik led the Raiders with 14 kills on .394 hitting while also tallying a team-high 19 digs. Middle hitter Christina Williams continued her hot streak, hitting .667 with eight kills and three blocks. Vanessa Walker added nine kills, 13 assists, and six digs, while Ava Tarsi led the team with 15 assists. Defensively, Olivia Inthout (17 receptions, 9 digs) and Garnet Mullet (22 receptions, 7 digs, 2 aces) anchored the back row.

Assistant coach Eliza Thelen praised the team's depth and energy, "It was great to see so many players step up and make an impact tonight. Our balance across the roster really gives us confidence going into the heart of conference play."

The Raiders return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 17, hosting Montcalm Community College in another conference matchup.

Men's Soccer

In the earlier contest at the Midwest United Complex, the Raider men's team looked primed for a victory before settling for a 2-2 draw against Calvin University's club team.

GRCC struck first at the 27:49 mark when Lucas Bouma scored his first goal of the season off an assist from Joel Ramirez. Just eight minutes later, sophomore Jamie Bautista thrilled the home crowd with a stunning 40-yard strike to double the lead.

Calvin pulled one back just 40 seconds before halftime, then equalized in the 74th minute. Despite controlling possession and outshooting Calvin 24-8, including 16 shots on goal, the Raiders couldn't find the decisive third goal.

The GRCC defense allowed only three shots on target, but two of them found the net.

The Raiders now stand at 3-2-1 and will face a tough test Friday, Sept. 19, on the road against Davenport University's varsity squad.

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