Briggs-Romine Shines Bright in Grand Rapids Sweep, Earns First PVF Weekly Honor
Grand Rapids outside hitter Paige Briggs-Romine was named the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) Player of the Week after leading the Rise to a dominant sweep over the Vegas Thrill on Saturday.
Briggs-Romine racked up a match-high 15 points behind 13 kills, one block, and an ace, helping the Rise cruise to a straight-sets win (25-17, 25-16, 25-17). Vegas was held to just 50 total points — the fewest ever scored by a Rise opponent in franchise history — and hit just .057, the second-lowest percentage Grand Rapids has allowed all season.
In addition to her offensive dominance, Briggs-Romine added 12 digs and posted a 56% positive pass rate, securing her seventh double-double of the season and first career PVF weekly honor.
“It was a lot of just chasing the ball down and bettering every ball, just focusing on that touch,” Briggs-Romine said when asked about her defensive approach. “Making it easy for the setter so we can go and transition hit.”
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A 2024 PVF Champion and Athletes Unlimited Pro Volleyball athlete, Briggs-Romine has become a key contributor since earning a starting role for the Rise on February 20. She currently ranks second on the team in both points (186) and kills (158), and has recorded at least one block in every match she’s started. Her steady passing has also helped anchor Grand Rapids’ defense throughout the season.
Briggs-Romine was a three-time AVCA All-American at Western Kentucky and she embodies the versatility required of elite outsides — players who need to impact the game in every phase.
“When attacking, I had to be deceptive and then just work on different shots and use all the tools in my tool bag,” she said.
She’ll look to build on her standout performance as the Rise head into Week 14, with a road matchup against Orlando on Thursday, April 10. The game will be broadcasted live on Roku and you can expect to see six AU Pro Volleyball players in the matchup.
GRAND RAPID RISE
- Paige Briggs
- Sherridan Atkinson
ORLANDO VALKYRIES
- Kaz Brown
- Brittany Abercrombie
- M’Kaela White
- Lindsey Vander Weide
Alex Jean Glover is a former collegiate volleyball player and multi-sport reporter, serving as a correspondent for Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Instagram @alexjeannnn.
