Coach Karissa Grapp played her youth hockey career as a goaltender in the Mid-Michigan area and spent her senior year playing for Belle Tire AAA, one of the top youth hockey programs in the Michigan. She continued her playing career with the NCAA Division I women’s hockey program at the University of Minnesota Duluth, gaining valuable insight into the standards and expectations of a nationally competitive collegiate program.

Before transitioning to coaching at the collegiate level, Grapp coached girls high school hockey in the Mid‑Michigan region, where she emphasized skill development, mentorship, and preparing student‑athletes for advancement in both hockey and academics. That background allows her to relate to players at different stages of their development and support their progression within the SVSU program.

Off the ice, Grapp brings a unique professional perspective to the program. She works full-time as a Chemical Engineer at Dow Chemical, balancing her engineering career with her commitment to developing student-athletes. Her analytical mindset, leadership skills, and firsthand experience as a high-level player allow her to connect with athletes and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the program.