Pro, Texas Volleyball Journal

Dallas Pulse rallies past Grand Rapids Rise Sunday in four sets

From staff reports

Malaya Jones (11) of the Dallas Pulse gets up for a kill during a Major League Volleyball match on Sunday, Feb. 8 at the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas. (Photo courtesy of Major League Volleyball)

The Dallas Pulse bounced back from a first-set loss and pulled away for a four-set win over the Grand Rapids Rise on Sunday afternoon, winning 22-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-21 at Comerica Center in Frisco.

Dallas (5-3) was led by outside hitter Mimi Colyer, who finished with a match-high 27 points on 22 kills and 10 digs to earn Player of the Game honors. Kaylee Cox added a double-double with 14 kills and 13 digs, while middle blockers Layne Van Buskirk and Tristin Savage combined for 12 kills and five blocks. The Pulse totaled 13 blocks and 79 digs in the victory.

Grand Rapids (2-6) was paced by Alexis Shelton and Carli Snyder, who each recorded double-doubles. Shelton finished with 13 kills and 14 digs, Snyder added 13 kills and 12 digs, and Allison Mayfield chipped in 10 kills.

The opening set featured multiple ties and lead changes. A Colyer kill evened the score at 19-all, but Grand Rapids responded with a decisive 4-0 run. Late kills from Van Buskirk and Sofia Maldonado Diaz were not enough to close the gap, as the Rise took the set 25-22.

Dallas responded in the second set after a tight early stretch. With the score tied 4-4, a video challenge swung in Dallas’ favor, giving the Pulse the point and momentum. The teams traded points until Dallas broke open the set with a 10-0 run to build a 16-8 advantage. Grand Rapids was unable to recover as Dallas closed the frame 25-18.

“I think we were having a lot more fun and just enjoying it more,” Colyer said.

That energy carried into the third set, where Dallas stayed steady point-to-point. Leading 17-16, the PULSE regained serve following a Grand Rapids error and surged on a 7-0 run to close the set 25-16.

The fourth set mirrored the opener in intensity, with several ties and extended rallies. Dallas maintained a narrow lead as Grand Rapids stayed within striking distance. Trailing 21-19, the Rise pulled within one on a Shelton ace, but a service error returned serve to Dallas. The Pulse closed the match on a 3-1 run to secure the four-set victory.

Dallas heads out on its second road trip of the season Thursday to face the Omaha Supernovas at CHI Health Center. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.