Sept. 28, 2021, LANSING, Mich. – Sophomores Kylie Oberlin and Annie Holesinger starred as the Grand Rapids Community College volleyball team won its seventh-straight match after a three-set sweep over Lansing Community College on Tuesday.
The No. 10-ranked Raiders handled the Stars 25-18, 25-16, 27-25. The win improved GRCC’s record to 10-5 overall and 7-0 in the MCCAA Western Conference. Lansing falls to 8-10 and 3-4 in the conference.
Oberlin and Holesinger, both middle blockers in their third year at GRCC, combined for 64 percent of the Raiders’ scoring on the night while also hitting .500 or better. Oberlin was 14 of 24 with just two hitting errors and had a team-high three blocks.
Holesinger, the latest MCCAA Western Conference player of the week, totaled 16 kills with no hitting errors, and had a team high two aces.
Oberlin couldn't have been happier about her team's performance after it bested Lansing in kills, 46-30; hitting percentage, .362-.176; assists, 45-30; service aces, 5-4; digs, 46-37; and blocks, 7-3.
"We showed how dynamic our team is between blocking, serving, defense, and hitting -- not only front row, but incorporating some back-row swings and setter attacks," Oberlin said. "We found ways to adjust each play to make the next one better. So shots they were making initially we were able to adjust and shut down or pick up on defense."
Outside hitters Audrey Torres and Kara Hecht combined for 15 of the other 16 Raider kills. Hecht's seven kills was a season high. Both of them also had a solo block.
Statistical Leaders:
- Kills: Holesinger, 16; Oberlin, 14; Torres, 8; Hecht, 7.
- Assists: Shannon Russell, 41; Ola Nowak, 3.
- Digs: Nowak, 12; Audrey Gower, 11; Hecht, 7.
- Blocks: Torres, Oberlin and Karissa Ferry, 3; Holesinger, 2.
- Aces: Holesinger, 2; Torres, Nowak and Russell, 1.
GRCC resumes play Oct. 2 and 3 as it hosts the annual Raider Challenge. The team will take on No. 5 Terra State Community College on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Oakland Community College on Sunday at 10 a.m.