Grand Rapids Rise signs 3 more players to 2025 squad

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Grand Rapids Rise is still filling out its roster for the 2025 season but now the team is close to having two full lineups.

The Rise announced the signing of three more players during the signing period for the Pro Volleyball Federation. Teams had to completely resign their rosters as players were only signed to one-year contracts for the inaugural season.

Joining the Rise for the 2025 season will be middle blocker Alison Bastianelli, outside hitter Paige Briggs-Romine and libero Valeria Leon. This brings the total roster of the Rise to 10 players after they resigned four former players and three new ones earlier this month.

Bastianelli joins the Rise after spending last season on the San Diego Mojo and led the league in blocks per set with 1.02. The Marysville, Mich. native now reunites with her former Mojo teammate, August Raskie, who already signed with Grand Rapids.

“I decided to join the Rise because I felt it was time for me to come home,” Bastianelli said in a statement. “I’m a Michigan native and have so much pride being from here. I wanted a chance to represent the state I’m from, at the highest level competing for a championship. I’m very excited to work with the staff and get to know the Grand Rapids community.”

Briggs-Romine is another Michigan native who finds herself on the Rise. She was a member of the Omaha Supernovas, which defeated Grand Rapids in the PVF Championship in May, and now she brings her talents back home.

“I chose the Grand Rapids Rise because this is my home state,” Briggs-Romine said in a statement. “I have lived in Michigan my whole life and can’t wait to have my family and friends at the games.”

Leon was a member of the Columbus Fury in 2024 and played in all 24 matches the team had. She will likely need to be just as available this season as she’s currently the only libero signed to the Rise.

“I’m very excited to be joining Grand Rapids for the 2025 season,” Leon said in a statement. “After the team’s remarkable season in 2024, I’m thrilled to bring my passion, energy, and love for volleyball to Grand Rapids and help drive the team’s continued success.”

The Rise, coming off a second-place finish in the league last season, hopes to take the next step forward and win the 2025 championship.

The Rise has said the rest of the roster will be filled out throughout the month of July before the start of next season.

The league will also add three more teams in 2025 in Dallas, Indianapolis and Kansas City. A start date for the 2025 PVF season has yet to be announced.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.