Grand Rapids's slow starts continued, and this time it was fatal. The Rise fought hard to complete the reverse sweep but couldn't make it happen. That loss, plus the Indy win eliminated Grand Rapids from the playoffs.

Do you think they were a team that was good enough to make it but just didn't play well enough, or do you think Grand Rapids lacked the talent to get it done? Listen to hear my thoughts, but I want to know your thoughts! Comment on Reddit, Spotify, Instagram, or write the show, embersnest@gmail.com

Against the Ignite the Rise win to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Rise are 1.5 games back with 3 to play while Indy drops their 4th straight. Newcomer Holthaus provided a boost, Jensen seemed like she'd hit the ceiling of Van Andel, and seemingly all went right for the Rise as they answered the call. Plus, a big announcement!

Sound off regarding your thoughts on Spotify, Instagram, Reddit, or by writing the show embersnest@gmail.com.

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

Eleanor Holthaus made her impact immediately felt against Vegas after only joining the team earlier in the week from Germany! She was second on the team in points in a dominant Rise sweep over the Thrill. The Rise are desperate to get back in the playoff hunt, and have a chance to make things interesting with upcoming matches against Orlando and Indy.

A listener had also written in regarding the PVF attendance year over year, so I offer my thoughts on that. What do you think? Write the show embersnest@gmail.com or comment on Spotify, Reddit, or Instagram. Ember's Nest is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Rise playoff hopes grow dimmer as they prevail in an exciting 3-2 match against Columbus, but then fall 3-1 to the Supernovas on the road. If that wasn't enough to discuss, the Rise added Devyn Robinson off waivers but may (or may not) have dropped Naya Shime from the roster entirely. What happened? No one knows! If you know, comment on Reddit, Spotify, or Instagram or write the show, embersnest@gmail.com.

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

The Grand Rapids Rise drop their latest match to the Vegas Thrill and have fallen out of the playoff race. If they want to get back into it, they've got to start winning at a clip we have not seen this season. They've got the practice time to work some things out, but will that be enough to make things interesting down the final stretch of the season? I offer my thoughts in the podcast. What do you think? Comment on Reddit, Instagram, Spotify, or write the show embersnest@gmail.com.

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

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!