Thrill Comeback Efforts Fall Short Against Rise

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – After falling into a 2-0 match deficit, the Vegas Thrill (5-12) came all the way back to force a fifth set, but couldn’t close out the match against the Grand Rapids Rise (8-8) on Saturday night at Van Andel Arena.

 

The opening set was filled with ties and lead changes, but Grand Rapids would take the first set 25-22, before winning the second set 25-21. Vegas answered in the third set with a close 25-21 win, before knotting the match with a 25-22 victory in the fourth to force a fifth set. In the final frame, the Thrill held a 6-5 lead, but the Rise would use a 10-3 run to win the final set 15-9.

 

The Thrill had four players with double-figure kills, outside hitter Khat Bell led the squad with 16, while outside hitter Hannah Maddux collected 11. Middle blocker Layne Van Buskirk and middle blocker Berkeley Oblad each recorded 10, respectively.

 

As a team, Vegas recorded a season-high 21 blocks. Setter Alisha Glass Childress led the way with a season-high five, while Bell, Van Buskirk and Oblad each recorded four. The San Antonio, Texas native Maddux finished closely behind with three.

 

The league leader in assists, Glass Childress recorded 46 assists in the five-setter. On the season, she’s racked up a total of 707 assists.

 

Libero Kylie Murr and Bell led the backcourt defense each collecting 12 digs and Glass Childress added nine.

 

NEXT FOR THE THRILL: Vegas will return home to the Lee’s Family Forum for a matchup against the Columbus Fury, on Wednesday, April 17 at 7:00 pm PT.