GRAND RAPIDS – The Grand Rapids Rise announced on Thursday the re-signings of 2026 team captain Carli Snyder, two-time MLV Libero of the Year Morgan Hentz, 2026 All-MLV Second Team selection Paige Briggs-Romine, and mainstay middle blocker Alyssa Garvelink Jensen, who has been with franchise since the inaugural 2024 season.
The Holland native returns for her fourth professional season after providing a steady presence in the middle since the Rise’s inaugural 2024 campaign. She joins Atlanta Vibe’s Leah Edmond as one of only a handful of players entering a fourth season with the same MLV team.
“Re-signing with the Rise was an easy decision,” Jensen said. “I love this city. My family lives here and gets to watch me play, my daughter gets to grow up knowing that this is an option for her one day, and the fans are so supportive. Heading into the 2027 season, I’m most looking forward to meeting and competing alongside a group of talented women. Let’s get the 2027 season rolling.”
In 2026, Jensen appeared in 21 matches (68 sets) and totaled 84 kills on a .295 hitting percentage, a team-high 60 blocks, 34 digs, 11 assists and three aces. She posted a season-high 15 points against the eventual 2026 MLV champion Dallas Pulse on March 18 and led the league with 0.88 blocks per set.
Jensen played 22 matches (71 sets) in 2025, totaling 88 kills, 64 blocks, 50 digs and four aces, with three or more blocks in 15 matches and a season-high 12 points in a March 9 win over San Diego. During the Rise’s inaugural 2024 season, Jensen appeared in 13 matches (31 sets) and recorded 25 kills, 19 blocks, 11 digs and three aces, highlighted by three straight matches with four blocks and a season-high 10 points at Vegas on March 26.
At Michigan State from 2014-17, Jensen played under Rise head coach Cathy George and finished her collegiate career with 1,002 kills and 521 blocks. She earned AVCA Second Team All-America honors in both 2016 and 2017, as well as First Team All-Big Ten recognition in each of those seasons.
Her high school career at Holland Christian included Miss Michigan Volleyball finalist recognition, two Holland Sentinel Player of the Year awards, all-state honors as a junior and senior, and four straight all-conference and all-region selections.
Major League Volleyball, entering its fourth season in 2027, is the longest-running formal professional volleyball league in the United States.
The Grand Rapids Rise made their debut in January 2024 and have completed three seasons as members of Major League Volleyball.
The Rise reached the championship match during their inaugural season and rank among the top U.S. women’s pro volleyball teams in attendance.
The team is operated by DP Fox Sports & Entertainment and owned by Dan DeVos, who is also majority owner and CEO of the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins and minority owner of Athletic Club Grand Rapids, which will begin play in MLS NEXT Pro in 2027.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland’s Alyssa Garvelink Jensen re-signs with Grand Rapids Rise after stellar season
Reporting by Dan D’Addona, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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