By Alexandria Webb & Jakhari Carroll
Grand Rapids Community College women’s volleyball team improved to 4-2 as they defeated Delta College Monday night, 3-1.
From the beginning of the Sept. 15 game, there was a sense of excitement and energy from the GRCC players, as they led the score within the first two sets of the game.
Six games into the young season, Head Coach Chip Will puts a heavy emphasis on consistency and dialing in on the fundamentals.
“Really staying focused and disciplined with our assignments,” Will said. “The fans saw the play get a little bit sloppy and it was really from what we were doing from assignment standpoint and footwork standpoint.”
Delta College displayed a lot of toughness and grit, winning the third set 21-25. Frequently getting off to fast starts, it was GRCC’s composure that stood out even in the course of the Pioneers’ resiliency. Sophomore Ava Tarsi commented on the toughness of Delta’s win in the third set, “It’s hard to be in the moments when you’re losing, but you know you have to work hard for it.”
“Delta played really good defense,” Will said. “We’re going to see things when teams take chances against us and so with that sometimes you’re going to give up points but I think we never let that get us down. We kept an even keel and not let one or two kills frustrate us.”
GRCC players also took notice of their opponents’ toughness, but they believe the onus needs to be on them to set the tone early within sets.
“We needed to come out more hungry,” said Sophomore Mady Jessee, when discussing how to approach the fourth set of the game. Communication as a team is important, and it was shown as the GRCC players took the court, “We are always talking no matter what,” Jessee said.
Positivity and energy displayed by the team, even during the course of some minor mistakes, maintained high energy and kept them focused on their goal.
“The bench stays with high energy all around, and all around there’s high energy,” Jessee said.
This was shown through multiple chants and cheers within plays throughout the sets. In regard to keeping high energy, Sophomore Ava Tarsi said, “As leaders sometimes you have to fake it ‘till you make it, but you have energy.”
Growing pains throughout a season can be difficult to navigate through, however Coach Will welcomes the adversity and believes his team is built for it as the season progresses.
“I love to be challenged,” Will said. “I love moments like this that puts a little pressure on the players. Overall it was a really good night.”
The Raiders will look to notch another victory in their next game on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 6:30 p.m. against Montcalm Community College at the Ford Fieldhouse.
