Raiders go up for a block against Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The Raiders defeated the Cougars in the NJCAA Region XII championship tournament at Ford Fieldhouse, qualifying for nationals. (Photo by Christina Kim/Collegiate)

Volleyball team hits up nationals
By Christina Kim
Assistant Sports Editor

The GRCC volleyball team, led by head coach Chip Will, finished eleventh in the NJCAA Division II National Championship Tournament Nov. 20-22 in Wisconsin Dells, WI.

“When you’re playing teams like this, you have to be firing on all cylinders."said Head Coach Chip Will.

They went to Wisconsin as the fourteenth seed, playing third seeded Johnson County Community College. The Raiders were able to take Johnson to four games going 18-25, 25-17, 17-25, and 13-25.

“We were a little nervous,” Will said. “We responded very well, working through some of those nerves and staying focused.”

Even after the loss to Johnson, which eliminated any chance of a championship title, the Raiders stayed tough winning against McHenry County College. McHenry beat the Raiders in the regular season.

“It’s hard knowing that your dream of a national championship is gone,” Will said. “I was pleased that they kept competing and playing strong.”

Iowa Lakes Community College eliminated the GRCC team in the next round after five games.

“We just couldn’t seal the deal,” Will said. “I don’t think we passed effectively. When you’re playing teams like this, you have to be firing on all cylinders.”

The Raiders run a successful offense through the middle hitters, and when the passing is not there, the offense is sluggish and forced to depend on outside hitters.

“We showed some grit and some fight,” Will said. “Being able to win two regional championships in a row and go to nationals is great. We tried to build uponoureleventhplacewinatlastyear’s nationals, but it just didn’t happen. It’s still pretty amazing.”

With eight returning players next season, the team will continue to build on the success it has had in the past.

“Some teams focus on winning a conference championship or regionals, but our goal is to win a national championship,” Will said.

Will is planning on focusing on recruiting for next season.

“I want to bring in a great recruiting class,” Will said. “We keep getting the cream of the crop and keep building on our success.”

The Raiders beat Kalamazoo Valley Community College at Ford Fieldhouse for the NJCAA Region XII Championship title Oct. 30. The team is in the running as an NJCAA Academic team of the year with a 3.6 cumulative G.P.A. Sophomores Nicole Peter and Elise Thompson made the Athletic All-American team and Academic All-American team, respectively.

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