SMC Volleyball Tested During Two-Day GRCC Raider Challenge

The Southwestern Michigan College volleyball team went 0-4 at the Grand Rapids Community College  Raider Challenge over the weekend, but the objectives of the trip were met, according to Coach Jenny Nate.

"We were challenged in various new ways this weekend, and we battled for every point playing to win," Nate said. "We just have to bring these experiences back to our home court tomorrow at practice and use it for fuel to prepare to face LMC on Tuesday. I'm proud of our grit and resiliency and the way this team is really learning to cheer for each other in every facet of the game on and off the court. It's all going to help us build this team and program."

On Saturday, the Roadrunners faced off against the Carl Sandburg Chargers and lost 18-25, 15-25, 25-20, and 13-25, then lost to the McHenry Scots 14-25, 13-25, and 21-25. "We came to the Raider Challenge for a reason - to get better, tougher, faster, and stronger," Nate said. "We knew it would be a challenge and that we would be matched up against some bigger, stronger, faster teams and more-established programs, and we knew in order to compete and win we would be forced to level up. We learned a lot as a team today, and despite a few of the scores, I was pleased with how we adjusted, stayed focused, and played to win every single point. We ended on a high note against McHenry pulling the set to 21-25."

The leading scorers for Day 1:
Amara Palmer 11 points, 3 aces
Nikki Nate 7 points,
Bianca Hobson 7 points, 2 aces
Emma Beckman 4 points, 1 ace
Cadence Knight 4 points, 1 ace
Briana Russell 3 points
Faith Rankin 1 point
Faith Standley 1 point

Kills:
Shayla Shears 12
Faith Rankin 12
Nikki Nate 11
Bianca Hobson 8
Amara Palmer 6
Juliette Schroeder 3
Emma Beckman 1
Cadence Knight 1

Blocks:
Nikki Nate 5
Shayla Shears 4
Bianca Hobson 4
Faith Rankin 2
Emma Beckman 2

Digs:
Nikki Nate 23
Cadence Knight 20
Amara Palmer 11
Emma Beckman 10
Briana Russell 10
Bianca Hobson 8
Faith Rankin 7
Briana Russell 1

Assists:
Emma Beckman 49

On Sunday, the Roadrunners fell to the Lincoln Land Loggers in four sets 20-25, 7-25, 25-23, and 17-25, then lost to the Oakland Community College Raiders in a five set barn-burner 25-22, 17-25, 13-25, 25-22, and 17-19.

"Today was about progress," Nate said.  "Our competition today was very tough, just like yesterday, but our set wins and set scores improved overall. We are adding to our offensive strategy and got more of our hitters in the mix and were able to work on new combinations, plays, and really add some layers to our game. We also dealt with an injury which forced us to make some lineup changes also, and I was pleased to see us still able to win and keep the scores tight no matter who was on the court."

The Roadrunners are now 9-10 overall and 3-2 in the conference.

Leading scorers for Day 2:
Bianca Hobson 17 points, 4 aces
Briana Russell 16 points, 2 aces
Amara Palmer 14 points, 2 aces
Emma Beckman 14 points, 2 aces
Nikki Nate 7 points, 2 aces
Cadence Knight 5 points, 2 aces

Kills:
Nikki Nate 24
Faith Rankin 21
Bianca Hobson 13
Juliette Schroeder 9
Shayla Shears 8
Amara Palmer 7
Emma Beckman 5

Blocks:
Nikki Nate 8
Juliette Schroeder 6
Amara Palmer 4
Emma Beckman 4
Bianca Hobson 4
Faith Rankin 1

Digs:
Cadence Knight 29
Liz Stockdale 28
Nikki Nate 23
Faith Rankin 19
Emma Beckman 19
Bianca Hobson 9
Amara Palmer 6
Briana Russell 4

Assists:
Emma Beckman 69