Rise and Thrill meet with an eye on the playoffs

Needing a few consecutive wins to enter the qualification zone for the playoffs of the 2025 Pro Volleyball Federation, the Grand Rapids Rise and the Vegas Thrill meet this week in what could be a critical match for both teams.

Their duel is set to take place on Thursday, at 19:00 local time (23:00 GMT), at the Van Andel Arena, in Michigan, as part of the 11^th week of the American League’s regular season.

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The Rise are currently in sixth place, with seven wins and ten losses, and need to move at least two spots up to compete in the playoffs, which will be held in May. Ranked high above them in fifth place with seven wins and nine losses, the Thrill are a direct opponent in the battle for a spot in the postseason and a victory in front of their home fans on Thursday would immediately make the Rise pass them, getting to fifth place.

The team’s current form in the Pro Volleyball Federation season has been somewhat inconsistent, as before losing two home matches last weekend, the Rise were on a three-match winning streak, with two of those victories earned on the road, one of which against the Thrill.

Middle blocker Ali Bastianelli, the league’s second-best blocker with 48 stops, is having a strong season for the Michigan team. Other standouts are outside hitter Carli Snyder, their leading scorer with 218 points and the league’s third-best server with 18 aces, and setter August Raskie, who ranks fifth in assists (591) and sixth in digs (198).

Their opponents, the Thrill, are going through a difficult moment in the season, having dropped their last seven matches and not having celebrated a victory in over a month. The road match against the Rise provides them with an opportunity to start reversing the current course while also defending their place in the standings.

The Thrill heavily rely on the experience of Olympic medalist setter Alisha Childress, the third player with most assists (647) in the league, to guide them back to their early-season form – she also ranks tenth in digs (184). Offensively, outside hitter Hannah Maddux, who produced 232 points already this season, has been their best scoring option.

Thursday’s encounter will be the third between the teams, who split wins in the first two duels – the Thrill won 3-2 in their season opener, in January, and the Rise triumphed 3-0 earlier this month.

Mojo and Valkyries get the week going

The 11^th week of action of the Pro Volleyball Federation will get started on Wednesday, when the San Diego Mojo host the Orlando Valkyries at 19:00 local time (2:00 GMT, Thursday), in California. On Thursday, simultaneously with the encounter between the Rise and the Thrill, the Indy Ignite will meet the Columbus Fury in Indiana.

Matches will be held for the next three days, with the Atlanta Vibe hosting the Valkyries on Friday at 19:00 (23:00 GMT), the Omaha Supernovas playing at home against the Ignite on Saturday at 18:00 (23:00 GMT) and the Fury facing the Vibe on Sunday at 13:00 (17:00 GMT).

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