By James Herold
The Grand Rapids Community College women’s volleyball team faced Lake Michigan College, the No. 2 ranked team in the west. GRCC defeated them 3-1 (25-11, 21-25, 25-16, 25-17).
This game was a part of the Region XXI Tournament which was played on Nov. 2 at St. Clair County Community College (SC4) Fieldhouse in Port Huron.
GRCC, who is ranked No. 1 in the Northern Conference and No. 6 in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II poll, opened up regional play against LMC who finished at No. 2 in the Western Conference.
In the first set, the Raiders played very well, hitting .519% and earning 21 points in a 25-11 win. LMC responded in the second half, winning 25-21. GRCC’s offense proved to be too much for the RedHawks in the final two sets. The Raiders won 25-16 in the third set, and 25-17 in the fourth set.
Freshman outside hitter and defensive specialist Braelyn Berry and freshman right side and outside hitter Lizzie MacIntosh led the match with 12 kills each, but the Raiders got strong performances from other teammates as well.
Freshman right side and outside hitter Ava Schultz had a career match, with 10 kills, just one error and hit .429%. Freshman outside/right side/middle hitter Sophia Ritsema and freshman middle blocker Maureen Winstanley worked together and got 14 kills and hit over .300%. Winstanley also had a career-high seven blocks.
Earlier in the day Thursday, the Michigan Community College Athletic Association announced its All-Conference honorees with a record of eight GRCC players on the list, including Berry who was named the Northern Conference Player of the Year. Berry, MacIntosh, and freshman middle blocker Lillian Peterson were all named First Team All-Conference and to the MCCAA team.
Sophomore libero Vienna Koenigsknecht also received First Team All-Conference honors. Ritsema was named Second Team All-Conference. Sophomore setter/defensive specialist Autumn Cole and freshman setter Carle Bruggema along with Schultz were named All-Conference Honorable Mention. MacIntosh and Peterson were also named to the Northern Conference All-freshman team.
GRCC Head Coach Chip Will also received honors as MCCAA Coach of the Year. Will has led his team to a 24-3 record, a 22 win match streak and an unbeaten northern conference record heading into the game against Mott on Nov. 3. According to GRCC Athletics Facebook and Instagram pages. As one of the most decorated coaches, Coach Will has achieved, 400+ overall wins, 200+ conference wins, 12 Conference Titles, 11 Regional Titles, 1 National Title, 9x Conference Coach of the Year, 9x MCCAA Coach of the Year, 11x District Coach of the Year, 1x National Coach of the Year (2012).
With this win, GRCC will advance to the winners bracket final to face No. 1 ranked in the east, Mott Community College in a 5 p.m match on Nov. 3 at SC4 Fieldhouse.
