Mac Podraza Competing For Roster Spot With Grand Rapids Rise

Posted on by Ethan Kasales

Mac Podraza is among 19 players invited to training camp for the Grand Rapids Rise of the Pro Volleyball Federation, which will begin its inaugural season later this month.

Podraza signed with the Rise as an undrafted free agent last Friday after leading Penn State to a Sweet 16 berth in her lone season with the Nittany Lions. The Sunbury, Ohio, native earned first-team All-Big Ten and AVCA All-Northeast region recognition in 2023, dishing out 1,236 assists to reach 5,115 for her career.

Podraza and her new teammates, including fellow Penn State standouts Nia Grant and Erika Pritchard, begin training camp Tuesday in hopes of making the final 14-player roster. Two practice players will also be retained ahead of the team’s season opener on January 25, when the Rise host the Columbus Fury at 7 p.m. ET at Van Andel Arena. Podraza is wearing No. 15.

Podraza, a three-time AVCA All-American, was named the Big Ten Setter of the Week three times last fall and 15 times during her career, taking home the conference’s Setter of the Year honors as a senior at Ohio State in 2022. Podraza’s mother, Christine, an All-American volleyball player at Minnesota, is the Columbus Fury’s team services director.

“Mac has been one of the top setters in the Big Ten and nationally,” Rise head coach Cathy George said in the press release accompanying Podraza’s signing. “She plays with a competitive fire and has a strong volleyball aptitude.”

The Rise have three other players on their training camp roster listed as setters in Ashley Evans, Taylor Bruns, and U.S. beach volleyball Olympian Sarah Sponcil, who tied for ninth place with her partner, Kelly Claes, at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Sponcil also carries a libero label on the Rise’s roster.

Zoe Weatherington, who was selected in the fifth round (No. 30 overall) by the San Diego Mojo, was the only Penn State player picked in the inaugural Pro Volleyball Federation draft on December 11, but there are several Nittany Lions with previous pro experience scattered across the league.

The Fury have a trio of Penn State alums on their training camp roster in Gabby Blossom, Kaitlyn Hord, and Megan (Courtney) Lush, while Kendall White and Nia Reed reunited as teammates with the Omaha Supernovas after spending three seasons together at Penn State from 2016-18.

After returning to pro volleyball with the Athletes Unlimited league, Alisha (Glass) Childress signed with the Pro Volleyball Federation’s Vegas Thrill to continue her playing career. Wilma Rivera, who spent two seasons at Penn State before transferring to Louisville, signed with the Orlando Valkyries.

Podraza, a co-captain for the Nittany Lions in 2023 alongside Allie Holland, brings impressive leadership traits to the Rise and an ability to distribute the ball cleanly from many angles. Podraza’s athleticism and experience at the college level, including her training with USA volleyball, puts her in a good position to succeed in training camp.