The MHSAA volleyball season is officially underway, and East Grand Rapids opened the year with an early statement.
The Pioneers hosted Grandville in the annual Rally on Reeds match at Memorial Field, overcoming an opening-set loss to win three straight sets and take the match.
East Grand Rapids came out strong in the first set, with setter Heidi White finding Finley Grashuis for a kill that helped the Pioneers build an early five-point advantage. Grandville responded, however, rallying to take the opening set behind a set-point play at the net.
The Pioneers answered in the second. White connected with Ava Gills for a key kill, and Rylee Stanley-Eldred later found Coco Bossardet for set point as East Grand Rapids evened the match at one set apiece.
Grandville looked to regain control in the third set when Reese Dykstra connected with Jenna Patten to put the Bulldogs in front. East Grand Rapids quickly responded, with White continuing to distribute the ball effectively. She found Grashuis for another big kill before going back to Gills as the Pioneers captured the third set and took control of the match.
East Grand Rapids carried that momentum into the fourth, opening the set with a 4-0 run that included another White-assisted kill. Grandville battled back, with Dykstra connecting with Gianna Holliday to pull the Bulldogs even, but the Pioneers eventually began to separate.
White went back to Gills for another kill late in the set before freshman Stella Allen delivered the finishing touch, recording a block at the net on match point to secure the victory.
After dropping the opening set, East Grand Rapids responded by winning three consecutive sets to finish off Grandville and earn an early-season win.
Watch the full video recap below.
