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Dallas Pulse Extends Winning Streak to Five
With 3-1 Win Over Grand Rapids Rise
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan, March 18, 2026.- The Dallas PULSE (13-5)
closed out a four-set win (25-21, 31-29, 23-25, 25-23) over the
Grand Rapids Rise (6-11) at Van Andel Arena on Wednesday night.
Dallas PULSE outside hitter Mimi Colyer recorded 24 kills on a .321
hitting percentage and added 16 digs for a double-double, leading
all players in kills while notching a season-high 28 points. Outside
hitter Sofia Maldonado Diaz totaled 20 kills and 26 points, adding
eight digs and leading the team with six blocks. Pin hitter Kaylee
Cox finished with 12 kills and 15 digs for a double-double. Middle
blocker Layne Van Buskirk recorded seven kills.
Libero Kylie Murr logged 20 digs and three assists, and outside
hitter Caroline Meuth added an ace. Reigning MLV Player of the Week
setter Natalia Valentin-Anderson notched her 13th double-double of
the season with 54 assists and 23 digs, while also adding a kill.
For Grand Rapids Rise, outside hitter Paige Briggs-Romine posted a
double-double with 16 kills and 13 digs, while also adding two aces.
Outside hitter Carli Snyder logged 13 kills and 12 digs for a
double-double, and outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles
contributed seven kills. Middle blocker Alyssa Jensen registered six
kills, while Berkeley Oblad and setter Camryn Turner added five
kills apiece.
The PULSE turned a tightly contested opening set into a controlled
finish late. With an 18-14 lead, the PULSE closed on a 7-3 run to
claim the set, hitting .333 while holding the Rise to .156.
The Rise opened the second set with early momentum, building a 6-2
lead before the PULSE responded with a 5-1 run to even the score at
7-7. From there, the set turned into a back-and-forth battle,
featuring several ties and lead changes. Grand Rapids regained the
advantage late and moved in front 24-22, putting Dallas on the
brink. Dallas responded behind Maldonado Diaz, who fueled the
comeback with a series of timely kills and blocks during a decisive
late stretch to regain the lead and extend the set. Dallas fought
off multiple set points before ultimately securing a 31-29 win, with
Maldonado Diaz anchoring the effort with four of the team’s seven
blocks in the frame.
Grand Rapids controlled the third set early, taking a 5-2 lead and
extending it to 6-3 before the PULSE chipped away to keep it close.
The PULSE battled back to tie the set several times, including at
17-17, but Grand Rapids responded and regained control down the
stretch. A 6-2 run gave Grand Rapids a 23-19 advantage, its largest
lead of the set. Dallas cut the deficit to 24-23, but a service
error sealed the set for Grand Rapids, 25-23 — marking the Rise’s
first set win over Dallas this season.
Dallas trailed by no more than two points for much of the opening
stretch of the final set before creating separation with a 12-11
lead. Following a successful challenge that overturned a
Briggs-Romine kill for a block touch, the PULSE extended their
advantage to 13-10 and maintained control. Grand Rapids rallied to
even the score at 19-19, but Dallas responded with a 3-0 run to
regain the lead, 22-19. The Fury remained within striking distance,
cutting the deficit to 24-23, before Maldonado Diaz delivered a
decisive kill to seal the 25-23 win and secure Dallas’ fifth
consecutive victory, marking the longest winning streak in franchise
history.
The PULSE returns to Comerica Center on Saturday, March 21, at 7
p.m. CT to face the San Diego Mojo. Grand Rapids faces Omaha
Supernovas on Friday, March 20, at 8 p.m. EDT |
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