Stauffer awarded GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week

Kendra Stauffer, a senior on the Grand Valley State women’s soccer team, received GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors for her performance in last weekend’s two-game series against Northwood and Saginaw Valley State. It is the second time she has received the award in her career, but first time this season.

In the game against Northwood Friday, Oct. 21, Stauffer provided the Lakers with a goal in the first half to extend their lead to two. In the second half, Stauffer assisted on GVSU’s fourth goal with a cross into the box to Marti Corby, who finished the play.

Stauffer continued her offensive success in the second game with two goals in the first half against the Cardinals Sunday, Oct. 23. Stauffer’s second goal gave her 13 goals on the season, two goals behind her career-high mark for a single season that she set last year.

GV men’s basketball ranked fifth in GLIAC North Division preseason poll

In a poll by the GLIAC head coaches, the Grand Valley State men’s basketball team earned the fifth spot in the North Division preseason rankings. The Lakers accumulated 29 points in the poll, two points behind fourth place Michigan Tech and 20 points behind first place Saginaw Valley State.

The Lakers are bringing back two guards from last season, Luke Ryskamp and Zach West. Ryskamp started all 29 games for the Lakers last season and 13.5 points per game. The All-GLIAC Second Team selection averaged a team-high 30.3 minutes per game.

Last season, West, as a freshman, started 23 games alongside Ryskamp and averaged 24 minutes per game. He finished the season with 37 three-pointers, second to Ryskamp’s 47.

Trevin Alexander, a senior forward, is returning after leading the team last season in steals with 35. Alexander started eight games last year but still averaged 22.5 minutes per game.

GVSU is coming off of an 18-11 record last season and opens the 2016-17 season against Quincy Nov. 11 in the GLIAC/GLVC Challenge.

Campus Recreation hosts wheelchair basketball event

In honor of Disability Awareness Month, the Grand Valley State Campus Recreation team, along with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, hosted a wheelchair basketball event Friday, Oct. 21. Students had the opportunity to meet the Grand Rapids Pacers along with learning the ins-and-outs of wheelchair basketball.

The Pacers are a competitive wheelchair basketball team located in Grand Rapids. The event gave students the opportunity to play against peers and the Pacers, while also teaching students the importance of inclusion and diversity in sports.