AUG. 19, 2026, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team opens a new season Thursday, Aug. 20, with a familiar goal: compete for championships and make another run toward the national tournament.
The Raiders - ranked 13th in the NJCAA pre-season poll - enter the 2026 campaign with plenty of experience returning from last year's team, along with six newcomers who will look to make an immediate impact. All nine freshmen from a year ago are back, giving head coach Chip Will a veteran group that already has a season of college volleyball under its belt.
Will enters his 20th season leading the Raiders and has built one of the nation's most successful junior college volleyball programs. During his tenure, GRCC has captured 14 conference championships and 14 regional championships, including the last five conference titles.
Associate head coach David Rawles is entering his 13th season on the GRCC coaching staff.
The Raiders' returning group is led by a collection of players who earned conference, regional and national recognition last season.
Vanessa Walker returns at setter/right side hitter after an outstanding freshman campaign. Walker was an NJCAA All-American, All-Region and All-MCCAA selection, earned First Team All-Conference honors and was named Conference Freshman of the Year. She finished second on the team in kills, aces and assists while leading the Raiders in digs.
Outside hitter Kirstyn Lothschultz also returns after earning Second Team All-Conference, Conference All-Freshman Team and Academic All-MCCAA honors. She finished second on the team in blocks and fifth in kills.
Kaylee Kranz gives the Raiders another proven offensive weapon on the outside. Kranz was named All-Region, All-MCCAA and First Team All-Conference while also earning a spot on the Conference All-Freshman Team and NJCAA All-Academic Team. She finished third on the team in kills.
Middle blocker Zella Hutchings returns after earning NJCAA All-Academic and All-MCCAA honors.
The defensive unit brings back several key contributors. Garnet Mullet, a defensive specialist/outside hitter, earned NJCAA All-Academic honors and led the team with 46 aces. She was fourth on the team in digs and led the Raiders with 428 service receptions.
Olivia Inthout returns at defensive specialist after earning honorable mention All-Conference and Academic All-MCCAA honors. She also ranked third on the team in serve-reception percentage.
Ella Thayer, another defensive specialist, earned Academic All-MCCAA recognition.
At setter, Payton Taylor returns after earning Academic All-MCCAA honors and finishing third on the team in assists.
Avery Powers also returns after redshirting last season due to a medical issue. The middle blocker earned Academic All-Conference honors and gives GRCC another superb option in the middle.
With so much experience returning, Will believes the foundation is in place for another strong season.
"We're excited about this group because we have a lot of experience coming back, but we also know we have a lot of work to do. The biggest thing for us is continuing to develop our team chemistry and getting everyone to understand their role. We want to compete for championships, and that starts with how we prepare every day. We're also really excited about the character of this group. The freshmen we brought in are great kids who fit what we're trying to build here, and their character, work ethic and willingness to be part of the team have already made a great impression."
The Raiders six freshmen include:
- Breslyn Zache, setter/right side, Paw Paw High School
- Charlee Cochran, right side/outside hitter, Jenison High School
- Sydney Rowley, middle blocker, Bath High School
- Lilly Slater, right side, Ludington High School
- Ila Antor, middle/outside, Sparta High School
- Karmen Rozelle, middle, Forest Hills Northern High School
The season begins Thursday and Friday at the annual Opening Weekend Tournament (OWT) in Rockford, Illinois, where the Raiders will immediately be tested against strong competition.
GRCC opens Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Central against Rock Valley College, followed by a 6:30 p.m. matchup with No. 9 Johnson County Community College.
The Raiders return to the court Friday at 10 a.m. against North Iowa Area Community College, before closing the tournament at 2:15 p.m. against No. 11 St. Johns River Community College.
The demanding opening weekend should provide an early measuring stick for a GRCC team with championship aspirations.
The Raiders will also return to the MCCAA Western Conference this season after spending the past four years in the Northern Conference. GRCC will play 14 conference matches as it looks to continue its run of conference success.
Another highlight of the home schedule will be the annual Raider Challenge, hosted by GRCC on Oct. 3-4.
The postseason will again bring high stakes to Grand Rapids. GRCC will host the regional tournament Nov. 5-7, giving the Raiders an opportunity to compete for another regional championship on their home court.
The ultimate destination will once again be Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where the NJCAA Division II National Championship returns Nov. 18-21.
For a program with 14 regional championships and a long history of playing on the national stage, the path is familiar. But with nine returning freshmen now entering their second collegiate season, six new players joining the roster and a proven core of returning award-winners, the 2026 Raiders have a new opportunity to write their own chapter.
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