By Ari’ Browley
On Thursday, Oct. 1, the Grand Rapids Community College women’s volleyball team extended their winning streak to six with an intense sweep over Kellogg Community College.
The Raiders started out the 16th match of the season strong, with outside hitters Kaylee Kranz and Kirstyn Lothschultz combining 11 kills without errors. The team also recorded five service aces, along with hitting .393 as a team.
Their strong performance continued into the second set, with Kranz and Lothschultz combining seven kills with just one error. The Raiders added three more service aces, bringing the score to 20-17.
However, Kellogg did not make it easy.
The Bruins gained a seven-point advantage during the third set before the Raiders had a comeback, with Kranz delivering a kill, bringing the score to 20-18.
The momentum continued, with sophomore defensive specialist Garnet Mullet, who recently recovered from an injury, serving eight consecutive times to help even the score.
Sophomore Vanessa Walker then delivered a match-high 13th kill, helping secure a 25-22 victory for the Raiders.
“You know, it’s always fun to be challenged. It makes us better,” said Coach Will Chip, who is in his 20th season with the team. “I thought our first contacts weren’t the cleanest early on, or serving in service wasn’t (the) greatest today, but I give Kellogg a lot of credit.”
Coach Chip credited the Kellogg Bruins for their tough serving and the pressure they put on the Raiders, but the team continued to fight for their win.
“…Never got mad, never got frustrated,” Chip said. “We just kind of kept working, kept grinding.”
Chip highlighted outside hitters Kranz and Lothschultz’s performances, as well as Walker’s comeback at the end of the match.
“…When it mattered at the end, you know, we gave (Walker) All-American a ball, and she came through,” Chip said. “So it was pretty fun to see.”
The volleyball team’s next match is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3, at 12 p.m., against the Kirtland Community College Firebirds at the Ford Field House.
