Former Valkyrie brings MLV Experience and All-Big 12 Pedigree to Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Rise announced Tuesday the signing of free agent middle blocker Colby Neal ahead of the 2027 Major League Volleyball season.
Neal, a 6-foot-4 middle blocker from San Diego, spent her rookie season with the Orlando Valkyries in 2026 after Orlando selected her in the second round, No. 13 overall, of the 2025 MLV Draft.
Before turning pro, Neal earned All-Big 12 First Team honors and AVCA Honorable Mention All-American recognition as a graduate transfer at Arizona State in 2025, helping the Sun Devils win their second straight Big 12 championship. She finished that season with 151 blocks and 167 kills.
Neal began her college career at Oregon, where she recorded 229 blocks and 237 kills over four seasons from 2021 to 2024 and helped the Ducks reach the NCAA Regional Semifinals in 2024.
"Colby comes to us after a great college career at Oregon and Arizona State and rookie pro campaign in the MLV," said Rise head coach Mike Gawlik. "We hope to tap into her experience and work ethic as she joins a talented group of middle blockers with the Rise."
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to join the Grand Rapids Rise," said Neal. "I am excited to develop alongside this group and learn from this coaching staff."
Neal is expected to be the Rise's final roster addition before the 2026 MLV Draft on Monday, Nov. 23.
Season tickets for the 2027 season are on sale now by clicking the link here.
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ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL (MLV)
Major League Volleyball (MLV) is the premier professional volleyball league in the United States, designed to provide the sport and its athletes with the major league platform they deserve. Founded on a player-first philosophy, MLV combines elite competition, significant investment in athlete development, experienced professional sports ownership from every other U.S. professional league, and a commitment to long-term growth of volleyball across the country. As the league enters its fourth season in 2027, MLV will expand to 12 teams from coast-to-coast and continue to create top-level, lasting opportunities and memories for players, coaches, and local communities while leading the way in solidifying the future of professional volleyball in North America. For more about MLV, visit MLVB.com and follow the league on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
ABOUT THE GRAND RAPIDS RISE
The Grand Rapids Rise made their debut in January 2024 and are preparing for their fourth season as members of Major League Volleyball. President and GM Cathy George served as head coach of the Rise for their first three seasons, leading them to the championship match in 2024, and she now presides over a franchise that ranks among the top U.S. women's pro volleyball teams in attendance. The team is operated by DP Fox Sports and owned by Dan DeVos, who is also majority owner and CEO of the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins and minority owner of Athletic Club Grand Rapids, which will begin play in MLS NEXT Pro in 2027. Visit grrise.com for more information.
MEDIA CONTACT
Dan Hasty, Director of Communications