Grand Rapids Rise is West Michigan’s professional women’s volleyball team and one of the original franchises from the modern U.S. league launched in 2024. The Rise immediately demonstrated that Grand Rapids could support the sport at a substantial professional level, drawing strong crowds and reaching the league championship match in its first season. That early success gave the club a competitive identity as well as a community one. The franchise has remained tied to the DeVos family sports organization in Grand Rapids, linking it to an established local infrastructure rather than operating as a short-term independent team.
The club enters 2027 with a new division of leadership. Cathy George moved from head coach into president and general manager, while longtime associate head coach Mike Gawlik was promoted to lead the team on the court. That succession preserves institutional knowledge while allowing a new coaching voice to shape the roster. The Rise now compete in Major League Volleyball, the renamed and expanded national league, but their local history continues from the earlier Pro Volleyball Federation seasons. Grand Rapids’ durable profile rests on that continuity: established fans, experienced management and a franchise that has already shown it can compete deep into the postseason.
Club Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Club Name | Grand Rapids Rise |
| City / Home Base | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Country | United States |
| Current League | Major League Volleyball (MLV) |
| Current Season / Cycle | 2027 |
| Head Coach | Mike Gawlik |
| President / General Manager | Cathy George |