Grand Rapids drops the first two games of their 4 game home stand in entirely different ways. A great defensive performance but sub par offense spelled doom against Atlanta, while an offensive resurgence wasn't nearly enough against Indy as the Ignite hit .405 against the Rise's vaunted defense. I recap both matches, offer a silver lining, and we hear from coach George, Oglevie, Snyder, Pritchard, Raske, and Bastianelli.

With the two losses, they fall squarely out of the playoff picture and have to go on a run to get back in it. What do you think the Rise can do to claw their way back into contention?

Ember's Nest is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Grand Rapids finishes up their season series with the Mojo in San Diego by way of a 3-1 victory. Jensen and Briggs-Romine led the way in this one, but it required a total team effort to earn the victory as well as a PVF record 18 blocks (again)! This sets up a massive showdown against Atlanta and Vegas as all 3 teams battle for playoff positioning. Grand Rapids took care of business, but it's hard not to look ahead to those big matchups.

What did you think in this one? Let me know by commenting on Reddit, Spotify, Instagram, or by writing the show at embersnest@gmail.com.

Ember's Nest is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Ember's Nest is back! While some personal obligations prevented me from making episodes after the last 2 matches, I'm locked back in for a 3 match recap episode! It's interesting looking back at these matches together; I felt as if I was uncovering just how many clues were left behind regarding the team's strategy going into this latest match against the Mojo. Are the Rise back on track? Shime is on track to return, reinforcements are on the way! Listen in for full commentary. What do you think? Sound off on Reddit, Instagram, or Spotify!

Ember's Nest is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

The Rise drop a heartbreaker to Columbus 3-2 in Van Andel Arena despite several changes to the lineup. I thought most changes were positive, but the team seems to tense up in tight moments. Do they have the yips? Let me know by writing the show embersnest@gmail.com, or commenting on Spotify, Reddit, and Instagram. After we hear from the players and coaches I talk about the biggest event of the PVF season: The All Star Game. What are your thoughts on the game?

Ember's Nest is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Grand Rapids journey from the cold winter to the sunny skies of Orlando did not go as planned as the Rise get swept. Orlando had great performances from Ambercrombie, Foster, and others, while the Rise just could not get going offensively in this one. They held Orlando to a .207 hitting percentage, but the Rise in turn only hit .161 as a team. In my estimation, the Rise have to find another source of offense to free up Snyder and Pritchard-- defenses are really keying in on those two players. Hopefully Shime returns soon, I will update on socials when I hear anything!

What do you think the Rise need to do to stop the slide? Let me know by writing the show embersnest@gmail.com, commenting on Reddit, Spotify, or Instagram, or perhaps sending a carrier pigeon to the next home match. Go Rise!

In this one the Rise and I are all out of sorts! The Rise cruise to victory in set 1 but cannot overcome Atlanta's adjustments and fall 3-1 to the Vibe. Meanwhile, I left all my notes and post game questions in the press box! When I sat down to record the podcast, I used the wrong mic! I fixed as much as possible but as a result I sound quite... interesting.

Can we call it method acting? I don't know, but join me in this one to break down this match against the Atlanta Vibe. Grand Rapids seems to really be missing Naya Shime despite what I view as good play from Kaleigh Nelson in relief. The rest of the team seems to need to find a way to elevate their own game in response. What do you think the Rise need to do going forward to get back in the win column? Write the show embersnest@gmail.com, comment on Reddit or Instagram, or perhaps send a carrier pigeon! Go Rise!

Ember's Nest is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Grand Rapids visited Columbus fresh off their four game winning streak and fell to the Fury, earning Columbus their first victory of the season, while the Rise fall to 4-4. The Rise were out blocked, out dug, and out hit in this 5 setter. The attack errors in sets 4 and 5 really stuck out to me as the nail in the coffin. Still, I may be blinded by fan optimism but I think Grand Rapids is more like the team that won 4 in a row than the team that dropped this one in Columbus. We'll find out when we play Atlanta at home on Thursday!

What did you think about this one? What are you looking for from the Rise against Atlanta to get back into the win column? Sound off on Spotify, Reddit, Instagram, or by writing the show embersnest@gmail.com.

Ember's Nest is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

I am finally recovered from the Flu, but I still needed assistance in this one from the wife, friends, and listeners like you! You'll have to listen to this one but I think it's safe to say: the wife knows ball! Listen for her thoughts, my thoughts, and post game interviews!

Monster Blocks were the name of the game(s) as Grand Rapids continued their defensive ways en route to victories over the Orlando Valkyries and the San Diego Mojo. Erika Pritchard really had a coming out party, and really solid contributions from Carli Snyder and Naya Shime cannot be overlooked. The Rise ride their 4 game winning streak into an upcoming showdown with the Columbus Fury.

What do you think led to the victories? What will you be looking for going forward? Sound off on Spotify, Reddit, Instagram, or by writing the show at embersnest@gmail.com. Ember's Nest is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.