Grand Rapids New Women’s Volleyball Team Plays First Game This Week

Grand Rapids new female professional volleyball team will take to the court this week!

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The Grand Rapids Rise is part of the Pro Volleyball Federation and calls Van Andel Arena home. In fact, Grand Rapids was the very first city to have an official team for the league.

According to Fox 17, Dan DeVos, chairman of DP Fox Sports & Entertainment (which is also the parent company of the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins) said at the time,

We’re excited that our West Michigan Pro Volleyball franchise is the first to be announced in the Pro Volleyball Federation, and we are very proud to bring women’s professional sports to Grand Rapids and Van Andel Arena. Volleyball’s popularity is exploding. The Midwest is a hotbed for the sport, the Big Ten is the most dominant conference in the NCAA, and there are a number of strong club, high school, and college programs across our region.

The Pro Volleyball Federation describes itself as "real pro volleyball" that has attracted some of the sport’s top talent, including some of America’s greatest volleyball players and coaches and elite players from around the world.

Cathy George, who has coached for 37 years, including 17 years at Michigan State University and 11 at Western Michigan University, is the head coach of the Grand Rapids Rise.

George said in December,

We would love for people to check us out. We have seen the growth of women's volleyball across the country in the last decade and we know it's a sport that's contagious. We want people to come and be a part of this inaugural season that sends this whole thing in motion. As a fan, you can say you helped get us started. You were there that first year.

The Grand Rapids' Rise first game is this Thursday, January 25th at Van Andel Arena. The Rise will take on The Columbus Fury at 7p.m. Get tickets here.

Check out the team's full schedule here.