GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Rise are excited to invite the West Michigan community to join the team on Thursday, Dec. 7 for a free Meet the Team Showcase at Van Andel Arena. It will be fans’ first glimpse at the Rise team that will take to the court in January for the inaugural Pro Volleyball Federation season.
Following a kids’ clinic from 5-6 p.m. and a serving contest to win 2024 Rise season tickets from 6-7 p.m., the main event will begin at 7 p.m. with Rise player introductions and a skills showcase. The evening will conclude with an autograph session with the entire Rise team and coaching staff.
“We are so excited to show the public a sneak peek of the Grand Rapids Rise,” said head coach Cathy George. “We have seen the growth of women’s volleyball across the country in the last several years and we know it’s a sport that is contagious. Our hope is that you will fall in love with volleyball at the showcase and you will want to come back again and again. I can’t wait for everyone to get to meet our team and welcome them to this community.”
The kids’ clinic is open to 60 participants, ranging from fourth to eighth grade. During the one-hour session, Rise players will teach various volleyball skills to the kids. The mini clinic will group the kids by age and rotate them through five different skill stations. To register for the kids’ clinic, please visit this registration link.
Leading up to the 7 p.m. showcase, Rise representatives will be around the arena to assist those looking to purchase season tickets and pick out their seats. Along with the Serve for your Seats contest that will be held from 6-7 p.m., there will be face painting and bounce houses for children.
Rise fans who pre-register here for the Serve for your Seats contest will have one attempt to land a serve in a bin at the opposite baseline on the court. Successfully landing your serve into the bin (without it touching the court) pays for your 2024 Rise season tickets (up to $600).
Rise players will begin to warm up on the court around 6:40 p.m. prior to the skills showcase and player introductions at 7 p.m. All players and coaches are expected to be in attendance. After the showcase, fans are invited to meet and get autographs from Rise players.
Admission is free, and limited arena concessions will be available for purchase. Pre-registration is required for the kids’ clinic and the Serve for your Seat contest.
ABOUT THE PRO VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION
Pro Volleyball Federation is REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL and the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America. Pro Volleyball Federation will begin play in January 2024 with world class players and coaches, including some of America’s greatest volleyball players and elite players from around the world. Our entire focus is on ensuring that our level and quality of play, our treatment of players, the quality of our event presentations, and our day-to-day fan experience is world class and the very best offered in North America. For more information, visit ProVolleyball.com.
ABOUT THE GRAND RAPIDS RISE
Founded in December 2022 as the first Pro Volleyball Federation franchise and Grand Rapids’ first major-league women’s sports team, the Grand Rapids Rise will make their debut at Van Andel Arena on Jan. 25, 2024. Led by longtime Michigan State and Western Michigan head coach Cathy George, the Rise’s 14-player roster will play 24 games (12 home, 12 away) during their inaugural season. The team is operated by DP Fox Sports & Entertainment and owned by Dan DeVos, who is also co-owner and CEO of the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Visit grrise.com.
