OCT. 1, 2026, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The No. 16-ranked Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team continued its torrid run Thursday night, overcoming multiple deficits to sweep visiting Kellogg Community College 25-20, 25-20, 25-22.
The victory moves the Raiders to 8-4 overall and 6-0 in conference play and extends their winning streak to six matches. All six victories have come via sweep.
The win, however, was anything but easy.
GRCC had to battle back in all three sets, including a dramatic comeback in the final frame after falling behind by as many as seven points.
Raiders' outsides dominate opening set
GRCC's outside hitters Kaylee Kranz and Kirsten Lothschultz set the tone early, combining for 11 kills without an error in the opening set.
The Raiders hit an impressive .393 as a team in the first set while also recording five service aces on their way to a 25-20 victory.
The offensive production continued in the second set, with Kranz and Lothschultz combining for another seven kills with just one error. GRCC added three more aces as the Raiders again battled through a tight set to win 25-20.
Mullet sparks dramatic third-set comeback
Kellogg appeared poised to extend the match in the third set, building a seven-point advantage.
But the Raiders refused to go quietly.
With GRCC trailing 20-17, Kranz delivered a kill to make it 20-18, sparking a decisive run.
Sophomore defensive specialist Garnet Mullet then took over from the service line in her return to the lineup after missing several weeks with an injury.
Mullet served eight consecutive times, helping the Raiders erase the deficit and push all the way to match point.
Sophomore Vanessa Walker then finished the comeback in style, delivering her match-high 13th kill to give GRCC the 25-22 victory and complete the sweep.
Walker also contributed 11 assists and seven digs in an all-around performance.
Balanced attack leads Raiders
Lothschultz finished with nine kills and just one error, hitting a team-best .400 for the match.
Kranz added 12 kills while hitting .300.
Defensively, the Raiders were led by the defending Western Conference Defensive Player of the Week, who recorded a match-high 16 digs.
With the victory, GRCC remains unbeaten in conference play at 6-0 and has won six straight matches without dropping a set.
The Raiders now turn their attention to a busy weekend at the annual Raider Challenge, which GRCC will host. The tournament features four matches over two days before the Raiders return to conference play next week.
Raider Challenge Schedule
Saturday, Oct. 3
- Noon: Kirtland Community College
- 4 p.m.: No. 13-ranked Mott Community College
Sunday, Oct. 4
- 2 p.m.: North Central Michigan College
- 4 p.m.: Oakland Community College
The Raiders will face Mott for the second time this season after falling to the No. 13-ranked Bears earlier in the year.
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