OCT. 13, 2026, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The No. 15-ranked Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team continued its dominant run through conference play Tuesday, sweeping Marian University-Plymouth 25-17, 25-23, 25-21 to remain unbeaten in conference competition and hold sole possession of first place.
The Raiders improved to 14-5 overall and 9-0 in conference play with their fifth consecutive victory. GRCC also extended its winning streak against the Chargers to 17 straight matches.
GRCC's offense was clicking early, recording a match-high 19 kills while hitting .372 in the opening set. Outside hitters Kaylee Kranz and Kirstyn Lothschultz each contributed five kills to help the Raiders take the first set, 25-17.
The Raiders were even more efficient in the second set, hitting a match-best .419 with 17 kills. Despite the offensive production, the set remained close throughout before GRCC secured a 25-23 victory. Vanessa Walker led the way with six kills while hitting an impressive .857 in the set.
Marian University-Plymouth challenged the Raiders in the third set, building an early 13-8 advantage. GRCC battled back, and Garnet Mullet delivered an ace to give the Raiders their first lead of the set at 19-18. The teams remained tied at 21 before sophomore Ella Thayer stepped to the service line and served the final four points to seal the 25-21 win and complete the sweep.
Lothschultz, the reigning conference player of the week, and Walker each recorded five kills in the deciding set.
For the match, GRCC totaled 50 kills while hitting .307 as a team. Walker and Lothschultz led the Raiders with 14 kills apiece. Walker also posted a team-best .565 hitting percentage and contributed 14 assists, six digs and four blocks.
Kranz and Charlee Cochran added eight kills each, while Payton Taylor led the team with 20 assists. Mullet paced the Raiders defensively with 15 digs, and Thayer finished with 11 digs. Avery Powers joined Walker with four blocks.
The Raiders will return to conference action Thursday, Oct. 15, traveling to Lake Michigan College as they look to extend their unbeaten conference record and maintain their position atop the standings.
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.
