By James Herold
The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball players wore pink at tonight’s Dig Pink night in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. Also, middle school students from different schools in the Grand Rapids Public Schools district were in attendance to watch the Raiders extend their win streak to 15.
No.10 ranked GRCC defeated Delta College at Ford Fieldhouse 3-1 in four sets (25-15,18-25, 25-22, 25-17). GRCC came out firing on all cylinders, taking the first set easily by a 10-point margin while hitting just 0.390%. But, the visitors from Delta held the Raiders to a 0.079 hitting percentage, winning the second set by seven points. After a back and forth third set, GRCC prevailed by three points and the Raiders rolled to an 8-point win in the fourth set to take the match.
“After the second set we were, you know, being disciplined…,” said Freshman Sophia Ritsema; “…like completing our own assignments and trying to get one point back at a time.”
“You know, I think Delta played really really well…” GRCC’s Head Coach Chip Will said. “…I thought they challenged us, made us work hard. So it was good for us to feel pressure, you know, especially on a cool night. Obviously, things are a little harder, things are not comfortable, different jerseys, different numbers. So I think the kids did a good job responding to something different but I (think) this night is always a great cause. Having the GRPS kids here was a great environment so overall a really, really positive night.”
Sophomore Braelyn Berry had a career-high 17 kills while adding 17 digs and zero reception errors. GRCC as a team only had two reception errors in 73 chances.
Freshman Lizzie MacIntosh, who was just named the conference offensive player of the week, was on fire with 11 digs and five kills in the first set. She finished with 12 kills, a match-high 20 digs and a match-high four aces.
The Raiders travel to Alpena Community College on Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m. GRCC will then take on Bay College on Oct. 7 at 1 p.m., and on Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. GRCC will then return home to face North Central Community College at Ford Fieldhouse.
