Box Score

SEPT. 22, 2026, TEXAS TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The No. 17-ranked Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team remained unbeaten in Western Conference play Tuesday night, rallying from an early deficit in the opening set before cruising to a 3-0 victory over Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

The Raiders won by scores of 26-24, 25-20, 25-13 to improve to 6-4 overall and 4-0 in conference play, keeping GRCC atop the Western Conference standings. Kalamazoo Valley fell to 7-5 overall and 1-3 in conference play.

The opening set provided the night's biggest test.

Kalamazoo Valley controlled much of the first set and built a 20-12 lead, but the Raiders refused to let the set slip away. GRCC steadily chipped away at the deficit before Kirstyn Lothschultz delivered an overpass kill to give the Raiders their first lead of the night at 24-23.

The Cougars answered to tie the set, but GRCC responded with an Avery Powers solo block followed by a Vanessa Walker kill to complete the comeback and give the Raiders a 26-24 victory.

GRCC carried that momentum into the second set, building a pair of early five-point leads. Kalamazoo Valley battled back to tie the set at 15-15 and again at 17-17, but the Raiders never surrendered the lead. GRCC closed out the set, 25-20.

The Raiders produced their best offensive set of the night in the second, hitting .258 with 12 kills. Walker accounted for five of those kills while hitting .500 in the set.

GRCC then took control in the third set, racing to a 25-13 victory to complete the sweep. Walker and Kaylee Kranz each recorded four kills in the final set.

Walker finished with a match-high 11 kills while hitting an impressive .417 for the match. She also added seven digs. Kranz contributed seven kills while hitting .240.

The Raiders were particularly effective from the service line, posting a season-best 96 percent serving percentage with just three service errors. Payton Taylor and Scout McAlister each recorded three aces.

Defensively, Olivia Inthout led all Raiders with 14 digs, while McAlister recorded a career-high 12 digs. Powers led GRCC at the net with three blocks.

The victory extends GRCC's perfect start to conference play and keeps the Raiders atop the Western Conference standings heading into their next match.

GRCC returns to conference action Thursday when the Raiders travel to Lansing Community College for a 6:30 p.m. match.

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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.