Rise Atlanta-Bound Before Returning Home

February 5, 2024 - Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF)
Grand Rapids Rise News Release

Grand Rapids Rise celebrate a point
(Grand Rapids Rise, Credit: Nicholas Carrillo)

RISE at Atlanta Vibe // Fri., Feb. 9 // 7 p.m. // Gas South Arena

Watch: YouTube at 7 p.m.

Season Series: First of four meetings overall, first of two at Gas South Arena

All-Time Series: 0-0 Overall, 0-0 Away

Noteworthy: Grand Rapids plays its first road match in franchise history. Both teams come into the contest undefeated after the Rise swept the Columbus Fury in their Jan. 25 season opener, while the Vibe (3-0) have knocked off the Omaha Supernovas, Orlando Valkyries, and San Diego Mojo to start the season.

RISE vs. Omaha Supernovas // Mon., Feb. 12 // 7 p.m. // Van Andel Arena

Listen: 96.1 The Game at 7 p.m.

Watch: YouTube and WXSP-TV at 7 p.m.

Season Series: First of four meetings overall, first of two at Van Andel Arena

All-Time Series: 0-0 Overall, 0-0 Home

Noteworthy: The Rise return home to Van Andel Arena for their first of three Monday night matches this season (two home, one away). It will be the first away match in franchise history for the Supernovas after starting the season with a three-match homestand.

Coming Out Swinging: The Rise offense opened their 2024 inaugural season on Jan. 25 with a potent attack that the Columbus Fury couldn't slow down. Grand Rapids scored 46 out of its 75 points in the three-set sweep via kills. Collectively, they hit a league-best .254 hitting percentage in the match with just 15 attack errors on 122 attack attempts. The Rise had 16 kills in the first set alone and followed that up with 18 kills in the third and final frame to seal a season-opening victory.

High-Flying Chaussee: Rise outside hitter Claire Chaussee recorded a double-double against the Columbus Fury with 21 kills and 10 digs. She became the 8th player in Pro Volleyball Federation to record a double-double and first to do so in a three-set match. The seven others came in the League's first match between the Atlanta Vibe at the Omaha Supernovas, which went five sets on Jan. 24.

Chaussee had nine of her 21 kills in the third set, including four straight put downs to give the Rise a 5-0 lead early in the frame. She finished with a .320 hitting percentage and a match-high 23 points scored after adding in her two aces. Chaussee averaged 16.6 attack attempts per set, the most in a Pro Volleyball Federation match to date. Over 40% of the Rise attack attempts went through Chaussee against Columbus, and she delivered 42% of the time.

Strong Starts, Furious Finishes: Despite not scoring the first point inside Van Andel Arena on Jan. 25, the Rise made quick work of the Columbus Fury by jumping out to early leads and finishing frames with authority.

*First set: 7-3 lead to start, 7-2 run to finish (25-17). *Second set: 3-0 lead to start, 8-3 run to finish (25-23). *Third set: 5-0 lead to start, 3-0 run to finish (25-19).

Net Front Presence: Turning defense into instant offense, the Rise scored 10 points against the Fury off of blocks. Middle blockers Kayla Caffey and Marin Grote led the way with three each, followed by Emiliya Dimitrova with two, and Symone Abbott and Ashley Evans with one apiece. The Rise currently lead the League with 3.33 blocks per set. Grand Rapids held Columbus to 26 kills with 19 attacking errors on 101 attempts (.069 hitting percentage).

First Road Trip: After playing in front of a sellout crowd of 7,805 spectators in their inaugural season-opener at Van Andel Arena, the Rise find themselves on the road for the first time in franchise history. Atlanta hosted its home-opener on Thursday, Feb. 1 against the San Diego Mojo. That contest drew 6,100 fans to Gas South Arena as the Vibe improved to 3-0 overall on the season by defeating the Mojo, 3-0. It was the first match in franchise history for the Mojo. This is one of only two road trips the Rise will take in February with a second away match scheduled on Feb. 23 in San Diego, which will be the Mojo's inaugural home-opener.

Grand Rapids plays three of its first four matches at home to start the season and then will play three of its final four regular season matches at home to end the season. The Rise are the only team in the League that has three groupings of three consecutive road matches. San Diego has two three-match road trips, while the Orlando Valkyries have a five-match road trip and a three-match stretch away from home.

Grand Rapids Rise celebrate a point (Nicholas Carrillo)

Pro Volleyball Federation Stories from February 5, 2024

• Rise Atlanta-Bound Before Returning Home - Grand Rapids Rise
• OSC Weekly Live Event Listings - OSC Original by Chris Blackmar

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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