Aug. 17, 2018 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Community College's volleyball team ranks again among the top 10 schools nationwide in a preseason poll.
The NJCAA released its Division II rankings this week, and GRCC sits at No. 8 -- the highest ranked among Michigan Community College Athletic Association schools. Mott Community College in Flint was No. 15, and Muskegon Community College ranked 20th. National champion Coffeyville Community College, of Kansas, took the top spot, with Parkland Community College, of Illinois, at No. 2.
With seven sophomores returning, the GRCC Raiders are poised for another deep post-season run.
"This year's team is a special group," said head coach Chip Will. "Our goals for the season are right in front of us -- it's just a matter of putting in the work each and every day so we are confident and prepared when opportunities present themselves."
The 2017-18 team finished the season ranked No. 3 in the final regular season poll with a 27-3 overall record. The Raiders won the Western Conference Championship with a perfect 16-0 conference record, as well as the MCCAA State Championship.
The players racked up more than 30 individual awards for academic and athletic achievements, topped off with recognition as one of only 26 two-year colleges nationwide to be named an American Volleyball Coaches Association Academic Team.
The 2018-19 Raiders will face top 20 teams seven times during the season. The first of these matchups is against Muskegon at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 30 at Northview High School, 4451 Hunsberger Ave. NE. All the Raiders’ home volleyball games will be at Northview while GRCC's Ford Fieldhouse undergoes renovation.
Grand Rapids Community College has been offering educational opportunities in West Michigan for more than 100 years. Established in 1914, the college offers degree courses, certification and training programs, and workshops and personal enrichment classes. Offerings are held on GRCC’s downtown Grand Rapids campus, and at several locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties, as well as through distance learning.