SEPT. 15, 2026, PLYMOUTH, Ind. – The No. 17 Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team continued its strong start in MCCAA West play Tuesday night, sweeping Marian University Plymouth, 25-19, 25-22, 25-11, to improve to 2-0 in conference play.
The Raiders, now 4-4 overall, overcame two competitive sets before taking complete control in the third. Marian University Plymouth, now 5-8 overall and 0-2 in the MCCAA West, kept things close early, including tying the second set at 22-22, but GRCC closed out the match with a dominant third set.
And for sophomore Ella Thayer, it was a career night.
A former Knight in high school, Thayer put together the best all-around performance of her GRCC career, recording a career-high 10 kills while hitting a career-best .562 (10 kills, one error, 16 attempts). She also led the Raiders with three aces and added 12 digs, giving her the first double-double of her collegiate career. Thayer also finished with 19 receptions, second on the team.
Sophomore Vanessa Walker matched Thayer with 10 kills of her own, hitting .318 for the match. Walker also contributed two aces and two blocks.
Zella Hutchings, Charlee Cochran and Kaylee Kranz each added six kills as the Raiders spread the offensive production throughout the lineup.
Freshman Payton Taylor paced the GRCC offense with 20 assists, while fellow freshman Breslin Zache added 11 assists.
Defensively, Olivia Inthout led the Raiders with 13 digs. Freshman Scout McAlister added seven digs and three aces.
After battling through the first two sets, GRCC saved its best volleyball for the third. The Raiders hit a team-best .400 in the final set and finished the match hitting .255 as a team.
The sweep gives the 17th-ranked Raiders a 2-0 record in MCCAA West play and keeps them perfect in conference competition.
GRCC returns to action Thursday at 6:30 p.m. when the Raiders host Homecoming at GRCC.
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