On Saturday, the Grand Rapids Christian Eagles Volleyball team made their way to Caledonia High School to participate in the Makayla Kohn Memorial Invitational, a tournament dedicated to honoring the memory of former Caledonia volleyball player Makayla Kohn, who tragically passed away in 2016. 

The Eagles worked hard throughout the tournament, ultimately finishing in 3rd place. They recorded impressive victories against both Mattawan High School and Edwardsburg High School, a D2 showdown last seen in last year’s State quarter-final match. However, the path to the podium was not without its challenges, as they faced tough competition from Byron Center and Caledonia High School in the semi-finals, falling an in intense three-set match.

One of the standout players for the Eagles was Taylor Frost, who dominated the serving line with a remarkable total of 10 aces for the day, including an impressive 3 aces in the semi-finals against Caledonia. Frost’s serving provided a significant advantage and energized the team in critical moments.

Defensively, the Eagles displayed steadfast resilience. Despite dealing with an injury in the match against Byron Center, Mya McKinnen was a wall at the net, leading the team with 8 total blocks. Piper Cebulski contributed with 6 blocks, further reinforcing the Eagles' defensive efforts. In the back row, Madi Peal excelled with a solid passing average of 2.0 and an impressive 27 digs, while Taylor Frost also contributed defensively with 17.

Offensively, the Eagles showcased their strength, particularly from the outside. Grace Goodyke led the charge with a staggering 37 kills, while both Mallory Bremer and Lucy VanDrunen added 17 kills each. Their offensive firepower was the key to winning many long rallies and ending tough runs in serve receive.

Overall, the Grand Rapids Christian Eagles demonstrated remarkable perseverance throughout the Makayla Kohn Memorial Invitational. They faced adversity head-on, competing hard and showcasing their skills against some of the top teams in the area. As they continue to build on this experience, the Eagles look forward to their second conference match against the Huskies of Forest Hills Northern this coming Thursday at 6:00pm in the Quest Center.