GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Rise made their first in-season addition in franchise history on Monday by signing 6-foot-3 middle blocker Molly Lohman.
Lohman, a native of Mankato, Minnesota, has played for six professional organizations in six countries over the last six years. Most recently, Lohman has been with Béziers Volley in the French Ligue A (2023-24). Her other professional stops include VC Kanti Schaffhausen in Switzerland (2022-23), Pölkky Kuusamo in Finland (2021-22), Athletes Unlimited Pro League in the United States (2021), Fatum Nyíregyháza in Hungary (2019-20), and Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors in Philippines (2018-19).
Lohman was named the best middle blocker in the 2021-22 Finnish Cup. Internationally, she competed with the USA Collegiate national team at the 2016 Global Challenge in Pula, Croatia, where the team won gold and she was named the MVP of the tournament.
Lohman graduated from the University of Minnesota (2014-17) and was an AVCA All-American honorable mention in 2016. In the Minnesota volleyball record book, she still ranks third all time in total blocks (536) and attack percentage (.356) with a minimum 1,000 attempts. During her junior campaign in 2016, Lohman totaled the second-most blocks for the Golden Gophers in a single season with 177.
She also set the Minnesota record for most blocks in a single match with 14 against Michigan on Sept. 22, 2017. MacKenzi Welsh-Vazquez, now the director of volleyball operation for the Rise, had 41 assists for the Wolverines in that match. The record-setting block mark at Minnesota was later matched by Regan Pittman at Nebraska on Feb. 19, 2021. Pittman currently plays for the Atlanta Vibe.
Minnesota was ranked the No. 1 team in the AVCA weekly poll five times during Lohman’s four-year career. The Golden Gophers reached the NCAA Tournament Final Four twice during her tenure (2015, 2016) and the regional semifinals once (2017). She accumulated 659 kills, 536 blocks, and 58 aces in 123 college matches, averaging 1.59 kills and 1.29 blocks per set.
Current Rise and former Michigan State head coach Cathy George is very familiar with Lohman’s abilities on the court as MSU faced Minnesota a handful of times due to their Big Ten rivalry. When Lohman played against the George-led Spartans, the Golden Gophers went 2-2.
The Rise waived middle blockers Sydney Bolding on Saturday, April 13, and Nia Grant on Monday, April 15, to open a spot on the 14-player active roster for Lohman. Bolding, a second-round draft pick, was a former Rise practice squad player who got elevated to the active squad on Feb. 28. She played in one match, recording her first professional kill in two sets of action. Grant was placed on injured reserve following the March 9 match against Columbus. Prior to that she had played in 12 sets, recording 21 kills (.295), six digs, and a block for the Rise.
Grand Rapids returns to action on Tuesday, April 16 at the Atlanta Vibe. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
ABOUT PRO VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION
Pro Volleyball Federation is the present and future of professional volleyball in North America. The League began play in January 2024 with world class players and coaches, including some of America’s greatest volleyball players joined by elite standouts from around the world. Seven teams have taken the court in the first season, with 10 teams scheduled for the 2025 campaign. Our focus is on ensuring that the level and quality of play, treatment of players and the entire fan experience is world class and the best offered anywhere. For more information, visit ProVolleyball.com.
ABOUT THE GRAND RAPIDS RISE
Founded in December 2022 as the first Pro Volleyball Federation franchise, the Grand Rapids Rise made 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 for the schedule and to purchase tickets.
Photo by the University of Minnesota