GVSU club softball competes in national world series tournament

Grand Valley State club softball competed in the National Club Softball Association World Series in Columbus, Georgia, from Friday, May 19, through Saturday, May 20.

During the first day of pool play, the Lakers went undefeated with a 6-1 victory against Virginia Tech, an 8-3 win over University of Illinois and a 3-1 victory over the University of Delaware Friday, May 19. The three wins placed the Lakers as the number-one seed.

The Lakers started day two of competition during bracket play on the right foot after a 10-0 victory over Northeastern. But after a 3-1 loss to Arkansas State and another 11-5 loss against Ohio State, the Lakers were eliminated from the tournament Saturday, May 20.

The Lakers finished their season with a 22-6 overall record. A representative from the team said they have “high hopes” to return to the World Series again, as the Lakers hope to return 14 players to their team next season.

GV football ranks high in two preseason rankings

After a successful 2016-17 season, the Grand Valley State football team has high hopes for the upcoming 2017-18 season. The team and staff aren’t the only ones with these high hopes, as two preseason football magazines placed the Lakers in the top three of preseason rankings.

One magazine, titled “Street and Smith’s,” placed GVSU as the number two ranked team in the nation, one spot behind two-time defending NCAA DII National Champion Northwest Missouri State.

Another magazine, titled “Lindy’s Sports,” ranked GVSU as the number three ranked team in the country. This marks the second consecutive year and the 14th in the last 16 years that the Grand Valley State football program has been a consensus top six team in preseason publications.

A major reason for these high rankings results from the amount of key players returning to the Laker team. Star returning players from last season include quarterback Bart Williams (3,334 passing yards and 33 touchdowns), wide receiver Nick Dodson (58 receptions, 864 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns) and 39 other letterwinners.

The Lakers open the 2017-18 season at Indianapolis Thursday, Aug. 31.

Former GVSU volleyball player attends NCAA Conference

Recently graduated Grand Valley State volleyball player Amanda Glaza was selected to take part in the NCAA Career in Sports Forum in Indianapolis. Glaza received GLIAC All-Academic Team honors during her 2016 season.

This is the eighth year the Career in Sports Forum has been held. The event invites more than 230 student athletes who have expressed an interest in a career in sports and were seen as leaders on their respected teams and on campus. The event provides the opportunity for student athletes to interact with successful individuals in the sports industry and learn the responsibilities it takes. The participants also learn best practices for gaining employment and gathering a better understanding of what future expectations will be once they get a job in sports.

Glaza was one of just three GLIAC students selected to take part in the forum.

Last season, Glaza appeared in 23 matches and 78 total sets, finishing second on the team in service aces (19), fourth in assists (40) and fifth in digs (219).