The GRC JV Eagles traveled to Grand Haven this weekend to compete in the Grand Haven Lake Shore Classic, facing off against some of the biggest and most competitive programs on the west side of the state.

Placed in a strong pool with Coopersville, Reeths-Puffer, and host school Grand Haven, the Eagles entered as the second-ranked team, and wasted no time proving they belonged at the top.

The team kicked off the tournament with a dominant 2-0 win over Reeths-Puffer (25-17, 25-12), playing crisp, disciplined volleyball to secure a confident start. Following a long break, they returned to sweep Coopersville 2-0 in another impressive performance. Led by Jori Porte’s consistency in serve receive and at the service line, and Aubrey Visker's smart setting, the Eagles ran an efficient offense and kept Coopersville out of rhythm.

Next up: top-ranked Grand Haven High School, and tournament hosts. Undeterred by the challenge, the Eagles played with intensity and poise, outperforming the Buccaneers at both the net and service line. Right side Autumn Rice, along with middles Sophia Christians and Aluong Reng, were dominant at the net, delivering key blocks against Grand Haven’s powerful offense. On the outside, Liza Kooistra and Haley Dawes were relentless, keeping the pressure on with aggressive attacks. The Eagles completed the sweep with a 2-0 win (25-18, 25-20), finishing pool play undefeated.

With a 3-0 record, the Eagles advanced to the Gold Bracket semifinals, where they faced a tough Zeeland East squad. Despite two incredibly close sets (23-25, 23-25), the Eagles fell short, but not without showcasing their resilience, teamwork, and how much they’ve grown throughout the season.

The team finished Top 4 out of 16 teams in their final tournament of the year, an impressive achievement that reflects their hard work and development.

Next up: the final conference match of the season at East Grand Rapids High School, Tuesday at 5:00 PM.

Go Eagles!