Aug. 20, 2021, ROCKFORD, Ill. -- The No. 11-ranked Grand Rapids Community College Raiders volleyball team opened up their season with two losses to top 10 teams at the McHenry College Invitational on Friday.
The Raiders opened up tournament play against Iowa Central Community College, who came in ranked No. 3 in the NJCAA Division II pre-season poll after a third-place finish at nationals last year. The Tritons came away with the victory in four sets, 25-18, 25-18, 24-26, 17-25.
Sophomore middle Annie Holesinger of Rockford, Mich. lead the Raiders with 17 kills while hitting an even .500. Freshmen outsides, Audrey Torres of Caledonia, Mich. and Morgan Fugate from Wayland, Mich. combined for 16 kills, while freshman Karissa Ferry of Chesaning, Mich. added six.
Sophomore middle Kylie Oberlin of Fruitport, Mich. had seven kills and a team high four blocks. Defensively, three Raiders tallied 12 or more digs, with sophomore libero Audrey Gower of Dimondale, Mich. leading the way with 20.
Ola Nowak from Grandville, Mich. was the lone player who had a double-double, totaling 38 assists and 12 digs in her Raider debut.
The Raiders battled the No. 8-ranked Eagles of Kirkwood Community College in their second match of the afternoon. After a superb first set where the Raiders won 25-22 and hit nearly .400, the Eagles would respond by taking the last three and the match, 25-11, 27-25 and 25-22.
Holesinger again led the Raiders offensively, totaling 16 kills with just one error, hitting at a .600 clip. Torres and Fugate would contribute with 25 while Gower would lead the defensive again with 18 digs.
For the day, 12 Raiders scored at least one point and as a team only had seven service errors in eight total sets.
The Raiders will be back on the court 10 a.m. Central Time on Saturday against the defending champions and No. 1 ranked Johnson County Cavaliers. They conclude the tournament with a match against Joliet Junior College at 1 p.m. Central Time.