Episodes

  • Marin Grote Interview Ahead of The 2025 Season

    Marin Grote Interview Ahead of The 2025 Season
    Dec 18 2024

    In an Ember's Nest first, here I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Marin Grote who is entering her second season as Middle Blocker for the Rise. Marin had a strong season last year as she was #3 in the PVF in blocks, but it's clear in my time with Marin that the focus is squarely on next season.


    It was a joy to chat with Merrin about the new squad, how she feels about playing against her sister in the PVF, and Sarah J Maas of all things! I hope you the listener enjoy listening to the pod as much as I enjoyed making it. As always, leave your feedback on Reddit, Spotify, or write the show at embersnest@gmail.com.
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    19 mins
  • Season 2 Starts off with a Bang! Coaching Hires and Drafting Galore!

    Season 2 Starts off with a Bang! Coaching Hires and Drafting Galore!
    Nov 26 2024

    There's plenty to cover for the Rise in this one-- in 48 hours the Rise not only sign 3 coaches for this season but potentially draft their future as well. It's a flurry of moves and there's no better place to hear about it and voice your opinion than the Ember's Nest podcast. Write the show at embersnest@gmail.com to have your opinion voiced!
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    49 mins
  • The Divination of Instagram + Crazy Free Agency

    The Divination of Instagram + Crazy Free Agency
    Aug 3 2024
    Hello Grand Rapids Rise fans! The dust has settled on the free agency period for now and I’m excited to start thinking volleyball again. This episode dives into the Grand Rapids Rise newest (and oldest!) members alongside my enthusiasm and questions for this upcoming season. More to come on PVF vs LOVB, but for now it’s all Grand Rapids Rise! Let me know what you think by writing embersnest@gmail.com, as well as commenting on Spotify and Reddit!
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    36 mins
  • The Agony of Defeat

    The Agony of Defeat
    May 18 2024
    Live from Omaha, I discuss my impressions of Omaha the town, discuss how well they pulled this event off (even if there are areas of improvement) and of course talk about the Grand Rapids Rise falling 3-0 to the Omaha Supernovas in the PVF Championship. Ultimately, the ability to be here was a privilege, but carrying the torch of fandom is also a privilege as well as a curse of its own. The fact that the PVF as a whole and the Rise have been able to get fans to care so much and put so much emotional equity into it is the biggest victory of this whole ordeal and is a positive indicator for the future. What are your final thoughts on the first season of the PVF? I want to hear from you: write the show, comment on instagram (embersnestpod) or Reddit, or send in a voice message! I want to know what this first season of the PVF meant to you! Ember's Nest is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and Audible.
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    26 mins
  • The Rise are Championship Bound and So Am I!

    The Rise are Championship Bound and So Am I!
    May 16 2024

    Grand Rapids comes away with the upset victory behind fantastic defense and key contributions from Marin Grote, Kayla Caffey, and Ashley Evans alongside the usual stalwarts of Dimitrova and Chaussee! This rollercoaster of a match was back and forth, but in the words of Ashley Evans, the pressure was on Atlanta and Grand Rapids just made their adjustments to win the game. The Bolt6 challenge system was also expertly utilized by Grand Rapids to help swing this one to them.

    Will you be in Omaha? Are you having a big watch party at home? Sound off on Reddit, Spotify, or now Instagram @embersnestpod! What did you think of the first of two 5 set semifinal matches?
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    40 mins
  • A Swan Song W for Dimitrova and a Playoff Preview

    A Swan Song W for Dimitrova and a Playoff Preview
    May 14 2024

    Grand Rapids Rise prevail over Omaha for the first time this season in Dimitrova's final match as a member of the Grand Rapids Rise. With the win, Grand Rapids has at least one victory over every playoff team. What lessons can be learned from this one and what does Grand Rapids need to score the upset over Atlanta? I discuss it here, but I'd love to hear from you by writing the show at embersnest@gmail.com, engaging on Reddit or Spotify.

    Ember's Nest is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music (new!), and Audible (also new!).

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    37 mins
  • Rise Split 24 Hour Series with Mojo, Clinch Playoff Berth

    Rise Split 24 Hour Series with Mojo, Clinch Playoff Berth
    May 6 2024
    The Rise started sharp and then came back to Earth with a 1-3 loss to the Mojo but find a way to flip the script and clinch a playoff berth the next day with a 3-0 sweep of the Mojo. The Rise briefly lost control of their playoff destiny before Columbus fell to Omaha. That granted the Rise control (again) heading into the second game of the series against the Mojo. The Rise had to figure out how to get Gomez and Dimitrova back on track while stopping Willow Johnson and they do, prevailing in a sweep and punching their ticket to Omaha! What did you think of the weekend series? Who stood out to you? Who needed to play better? Are you ready for postseason volleyball? Some sound from https://freesound.org/people/DeVern/sounds/437033/
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    44 mins
  • Grand Rapids Rise Worst Effort of the Season + Does the PVF Want Anyone to Cover the Championship?

    Grand Rapids Rise Worst Effort of the Season + Does the PVF Want Anyone to Cover the Championship?
    Apr 29 2024

    The Rise nearly fail to show up in this one, falling to Columbus in a 3-0 sweep. What is the reason for the poor performance? Feel free to sound off! Beyond that, the PVF inexplicably is not allotting any tickets for the PVF championship to media. Why?

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    24 mins