NOV. 7, 2026, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – If there was ever a time for the Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team to make history, this was it.
The No. 13-ranked Raiders put together the greatest postseason run in program history this weekend, winning five consecutive matches over two days after falling into the consolation bracket to capture the NJCAA Great Lakes District A Championship and earn their fifth consecutive trip to the NJCAA Division II Volleyball National Championship.
The remarkable run included three victories on Saturday, two of which came against No. 9-ranked Mott Community College, a team that had defeated the Raiders three times this season, including Thursday night in the second round of the district tournament.
But the Raiders weren't finished.
Facing elimination and needing to win five straight matches to claim the district championship, GRCC responded with sweeps of Kellogg Community College and Schoolcraft College on Friday before taking down Muskegon Community College and then defeating Mott twice on Saturday to complete one of the most memorable weekends in Raider Nation history.
The championship marks the 15th regional title for head coach Chip Will in his 20 years leading the program and his 16th trip to the national tournament.
"One of the top moments in Raider Nation history," said Will. "Coming back from the losers bracket after losing to Mott on Thursday night to winning two matches Friday and three matches today, two against No. 9 Mott, who we had not beaten all year. I told the kids on Thursday they had the ability to write a piece of history that will be talked about for years and cement their place in Raider history."
Will added that only one other team during his 20 years at GRCC had managed to come back through the consolation bracket to win the regional championship.
"Seven matches in three days. Proud of all these players, families and GRCC staff who made this week a memory I won't ever forget," Will said.
Saturday Morning: Raiders Roll Past Muskegon
The Raiders began Saturday's championship push with a dominant performance against former conference rival Muskegon Community College, winning 25-13, 25-10, 25-17.
GRCC never trailed in the match and controlled play from start to finish, hitting an impressive .344 as a team.
Kirstyn Lothschultz was nearly unstoppable, recording 13 kills with just one hitting error while hitting .600. Kaylee Kranz also delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with eight kills and just one error while hitting .368.
The sweep advanced the Raiders to the championship round, where they would need to defeat Mott twice to claim the district title.
First Championship Match: Raiders Survive Wild Third Set Against Mott
In the first championship matchup, the Raiders delivered another outstanding performance, defeating Mott 25-17, 25-14, 33-31 to force a winner-take-all championship match.
GRCC controlled the first two sets, but the third turned into an unforgettable battle.
The Raiders appeared to be in control with a 21-18 lead before Mott responded with a 6-1 run to reach set point at 24-22. An assisted block by Avery Powers and Lothschultz helped GRCC tie the set, and the teams traded points throughout an extended finish.
The Raiders had six match points before finally putting the Bears away. Vanessa Walker delivered the decisive kill to secure the 33-31 victory and send GRCC into the winner-take-all championship.
Kranz was arguably the Raiders' most impressive performer in the match, finishing with 12 kills and just one error while hitting a match-high .440. She also added two blocks.
Lothschultz led all players with 15 kills, while Walker came just three kills short of what would have been her third consecutive triple-double against Mott.
Winner-Take-All Championship: Raiders Complete the Comeback
With the district championship and a trip to nationals on the line, the Raiders and Bears met one final time Saturday afternoon.
GRCC struggled offensively in the opening set, hitting a season-low .000 as Mott took a 25-15 victory.
But the Raiders responded immediately.
Kranz's kill secured a 25-21 second-set victory, evening the match and giving GRCC the momentum it needed.
The third set was arguably the Raiders' most dominant performance against Mott all season. GRCC recorded 16 kills with just one hitting error, hitting an incredible .500 to cruise to a 25-10 victory and take a 2-1 match lead.
The fourth set was much tighter.
Mott battled throughout, and the Raiders didn't take their first lead until 12-11. GRCC managed to maintain that advantage, eventually building a 24-20 lead and putting itself four points away from the national tournament.
It would take four match points, but the Raiders finally got the job done.
Kranz delivered the championship-winning kill, giving GRCC a 25-23 fourth-set victory and completing the historic comeback.
Walker, who was later named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, led the Raiders with 17 kills while committing just three hitting errors. She also recorded 14 assists and 11 digs, giving her a third triple-double against Mott this season.
Kranz added 11 kills, while Lothschultz contributed eight. Powers led all players with six blocks and also added six kills.
Raiders Shine Individually Throughout Tournament
The Raiders received outstanding contributions throughout the seven-match tournament, with three players earning All-Tournament Team honors.
Walker was named the tournament MVP, while Lothschultz and sophomore libero Olivia Inthout also earned All-Tournament recognition.
Lothschultz led the Raiders with 79 kills throughout the tournament, adding 31 digs, nine blocks and five service aces.
Walker nearly averaged a triple-double over the seven matches, finishing with 61 kills, 87 assists, 68 digs, nine blocks and seven aces.
Inthout anchored the defensive effort with a team-high 94 digs, along with six aces and 18 assists.
At the net, middle blockers Zella Hutchings and Powers each recorded a team-high 19 blocks. Payton Taylor led the team with 132 assists and added 11 aces, while Hutchings also led the Raiders with 13 service aces.
Full tournament statistics are available at GRCCRaiders.com.
Fifth Straight Trip to Nationals
With the district championship secured, the Raiders now turn their attention to the NJCAA Division II Volleyball National Championship, scheduled for November 18-21 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The Raiders will make their fifth consecutive appearance at the national tournament, with their first-round opponent to be announced when the NJCAA releases the national championship brackets early next week.
After winning five straight elimination matches, including two victories over a nationally ranked opponent they had yet to defeat this season, the Raiders have certainly earned their place among the nation's best.
And as Coach Will told his team Thursday night, they have now written a piece of Raider history that will be talked about for years to come.
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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.
