GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — It's almost here.
Professional volleyball is on its way to Grand Rapids. Almost a year to the day of the announcement of pro volleyball in West Michigan, the Rise held their first minicamp practice on Tuesday afternoon.
The team says it felt so good to be out there for Day 1 after a year of planning and assembling the roster. There is still so much left they need to accomplish before the first game of the inaugural season, but the Rise believes they accomplished the first step - just getting here.
"It was really awesome," Rise outside hitter Holly Toliver said. "I loved being with everybody and playing at a really high level. Everyone I pretty much met in the last 24 hours so it's been really fun."
The Rise know there is a lot of work to do, but they were just glad to finally have everyone together.
"Very excited about where we are knowing we have things to clean up," Rise head coach Cathy George said. "Obviously we have progressions to make but I was really pleased with where our starting point is and what we can look forward to in the future. Players have been waiting forever to come back from overseas and this opportunity has presented itself to us and we are so thrilled to be able to represent Grand Rapids."
You can meet the team on Thursday in the heart of Grand Rapids. There will be a showcase at Van Andel Arena from 6-8 p.m.
The season begins at home on January 25 against Columbus.
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