(All photos taken by Avery Jennings – Sports Editor)
The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team topped off a 3-0 victory Thursday night against a formidable Kalamazoo Valley Community College squad.
The Raiders took care of business against KVCC, winning the first set, 25-14, the second set, 25-19 and the third set, 25-11.
The team has had a tendency to start out slow, which was not the case tonight.
“I think the first set was really good,” said Freshman Defensive Specialist, Peyton Helsen. “After the first set, Chip said that was the happiest they (coaching staff) have ever been after a first set, so that was good.”
Each match, the teams GRCC plays against “comes bringing their best” according to Sophomore Libero, Janie Bunge. That has helped prepare them each match to make sure they’re playing their best as well.
“(It’s) because of our history and how we’ve played so far this season,” Bunge said about playing other teams at their best. “We have people on our back wanting to play their best volleyball against us, so we’re always prepared for the unexpected.”
“We beat them in four last time,” Bunge said. “It could’ve been a close game. I don’t think we even played our best volleyball tonight and we still handled them in three.”
“The last game we played against them, we won in four, so we wanted to come in, play better and sweep them,” Helsen said. “Chip always says that we’re not respecting them if we don’t put them in their place and beat them in three.”
Teamwork was in full swing, as every Raider was able to play and contribute in one way or another.
“I think we really worked together as a team,” said Freshman Middle Blocker, Hannah Sterns. “It was a team effort all the way through.”
“Teamwork definitely helped us tonight,” said Freshman Outside Hitter, Samantha “Sam” Forner. “Everyone who came off the bench tonight did a pretty solid job. There were no (lapses) … We have a pretty solid flow for the whole team.”
Going forward, the area to improve is keeping the other team from “going on (scoring) runs” according to Helsen. The team “just needs to limit that” in order to improve and get better as a whole.
The next match for the GRCC volleyball team will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11 at the Ford Fieldhouse against Glen Oaks Community College.
