Women’s basketball throttles Ferris to end regular season
With everything on the line, the final week of the regular season turned into a statement stretch for the No. 2 Grand Valley State University Lakers women’s basketball team (27-1).
The Thursday, Feb. 26 matchup brought excitement, as a packed Fieldhouse Arena crowd of 1,304 fans watched the Lakers deliver a dominant 70-44 victory over GLIAC rival Ferris State, securing the outright regular-season championship. By the final horn, nets were being cut down.
Williams credited his team’s response during the second half of the season for moments like this.
“We hit a little bit of a wall in the middle of the year,” said Williams. “I thought our choices to respond were good. We’re still getting better each day. The biggest thing is being more disciplined, and I think we’re improving in that area.”
To read more of Luke Shrake’s women’s basketball story, click here.
Lanthorn student-athlete of the month: Collin Bradley
For Grand Valley State University’s baseball team, which surged through one of the best starts in program history, March was defined by dominant pitching performances. At the center of that success on the mound was senior right-handed pitcher Collin Bradley.
Bradley’s recognition came after a near-flawless stretch throughout March, during which he established himself as one of the most reliable arms not only in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), but in the NCAA. In three starts during the month, Bradley did not allow a single earned run.
Across those outings against the Missouri University of Science and Technology, Maryville University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Bradley consistently gave the Lakers a chance to win. His efficiency and ability to limit baserunners helped control the tempo of each game, even while facing quality nonconference competition on the road.
“I’d say right now what’s working is just throwing strikes and limiting walks,” Bradley said.
He also credited the defense behind him.
“Another big thing is our defense,” Bradley said. “We have an incredible infield and outfield behind me, and that makes pitching a lot easier.”
Click here to read of Luke Shrake’s April edition of the Lanthorn student-athlete of the month.
Ringing in another victory: Women’s basketball goes back-to-back in championship
Winning back-to-back national championships cemented the Lakers’ place among the nation’s elite programs and reinforced one of the most dominant stretches in Grand Valley State University women’s basketball history.
The No. 1 GVSU women’s basketball team (36-1) defeated No. 2 Indiana University of Pennsylvania (31-4) 72-49 Saturday, March 28, in the NCAA National Championship game at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. The Lakers secured its second straight national title, and third in program history.
Kamin said her faith played an important role in the championship victory.
“It’s such a blessing,” Kamin said. “God brought me to this program for a reason, and I’m so thankful that he brought me to this spot.”
Zeinstra reflected on what it meant to help the Lakers secure back-to-back national titles.
“It’s awesome to go out like this,” Zeinstra said. “I’m so thankful. I hope I can tell my kids about it one day.”
To read more of James Herold’s breakdown of the GVSU championship win, click here.
Mike Williams details basketball coaching journey
For Grand Valley State University women’s basketball head coach Mike Williams, success has never been defined by a single season, a single championship, or even a single player – it has been built over years of steady leadership, relationships, and resilience. From learning under some of the game’s most respected coaches to guiding the Lakers through national titles, All-Americans and a canceled COVID season, Williams’ journey reflects the culture he has helped shape inside the Fieldhouse Arena.
Williams has coached Laker athletes to 49 All-Conference selections and earned the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year award five times. In 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic ending the season, a new meaning of handling adversity was born.
“(One of) my hardest moments in coaching was to drive down to Missouri, get off the bus, get in the hotel room and five minutes later hear the NCAA Tournament was canceled,” said Williams. “We met as a group (and) shed a bunch of tears. We got back on the bus and headed north.”
To read more of James Herold’s feature story on Mike Williams, click here.
Softball sweeps Wayne State, extends winning streak to six
The bats of the Grand Valley State University softball team (17-13) told the story of momentum, resilience and a team finding its rhythm at just the right time.
Riding a five-game win streak into Friday, April 3, the Lakers added two more chapters to their season with a doubleheader sweep over Wayne State University (12-15), edging out a 4–3 thriller in game one before unleashing an 8–0 run-rule victory in the nightcap. The wins pushed GVSU to 17–13 overall and a strong 7–1 mark in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.
It didn’t take long for the Lakers to make their presence felt. With two outs in the opening inning, sophomore pitcher Grace Usher stepped into the box and turned a routine start into something electrifying. After freshman infielder Camryn Hall reached base to set the stage, Usher drove a pitch deep to center field, sending it over the fence for her first home run of the season and a quick 2–0 lead.
That early jolt carried through the middle innings. In the third, Usher again came through — this time with a sharp single to right that brought junior outfielder Faith Edwards all the way home from first. Moments later, senior outfielder Eliana Eiland added to the rally, lining a ball into right field to plate Usher and stretch the advantage to 4–0.
Click here to read more of Kennedy Kelsey’s debut coverage of the GVSU softball team.
