Nov. 4, 2022, PORT HURON, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team advanced to the NJCAA Region XII-District A championship after a sweep over Kalamazoo Valley Community College in the semi-finals on Friday.
Despite 15 errors in the first set, the Raiders found a way to pull out a victory one, winning 25-23.
Sets two and three were never in doubt, leading wire-to-wire in 25-11 and 25-10 wins to advance to the finals.
Alena Visnovsky had a career match with 10 kills and just one error, hitting .600 while adding three blocks.
"The close call in the first set generated a sense of urgency across the team," Visnovksy said. "We reset and played to our strengths and played for each other. Going into tomorrow, we're focused and excited, and are ready to dial in and fight."
Eliza Thelen led another balanced attack for the Raiders with 12 kills with Audrey Torres totaling 11 and Karissa Ferry finishing with nine.
Freshmen defensive specialists, Braelyn Berry and Vienna Koenigsknecht led the defense with 10 digs each.
GRCC, ranked No. 13 in the latest NJCAA Division II poll, improved to 23-3 overall, and will play at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5. A win ensures a trip to the NJCAA National Tournament in a couple weeks.