Carlson, Mencotti named to CoSIDA Academic All-District team

The Grand Valley State women’s soccer team had two players named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District team. Senior defenseman Clare Carlson and junior forward Gabriella Mencotti earned first team honors in the fourth district.

Carlson is a recipient of the honor for the second straight season. She has been a leader on the defense and even the offense when she plays in the midfield for the Lakers. Carlson is majoring in biomedical sciences.

Mencotti, a first-time recipient of the honor, is the Lakers’ leading goal-scorer this season. She has 22 goals on the season, tied for second in the nation. She is also second in the nation with 53 points. She is majoring in finance.

Women’s basketball picked to win GLIAC in preseason poll

In the GLIAC women’s basketball preseason poll, the Grand Valley State women’s basketball team has been picked to finish first in the GLIAC North Division. The Lakers received 47 points in the poll, more than any other team in the conference.

GVSU finished last season with a 26-10 record after a run to the NCAA Division II Final Four. It was only the second Final Four appearance in program history. The 26 wins were the most in program history.

The Lakers are primed for another successful season after returning all of their starters from last season’s playoff run. The team also returns six other letter-winners from last year.

GVSU finished last season third in the North Division after the regular season and lost to Ashland in the GLIAC Tournament finals. The Lakers open the season with a tune-up against Dayton Sunday, Nov. 6 before the GLIAC/GLVC Challenge starting Saturday, Nov. 12.

Two Lakers named GLIAC swimmers of the week

The Grand Valley State swimming teams had two swimmers named GLIAC swimmers of the week. Leonie Van Noort was named College Swimming News’ GLIAC Swimmer of the Week for the women’s team, and Danny Abbott was named GLIAC Men’s Swimmer of the Week for the men’s team.

Abbott finished with three place finishes against Lewis and Calvin. He won the 200-free relay against Lewis and added two more wins in the 50-free and 100-free against Calvin. He helped the Lakers to a 139-91 win over Lewis and a 225-74 win at Calvin.

Van Noort was a part in five first-place finishes for the Lakers, three of them individual victories. She won the 1,000-free and swam the second leg in the 200-relay for the first-place Lakers against Lewis. Van Noort won the 200-free and 200-back and was the first leg of the first-place finishing 400-relay. She helped the Lakers to a 180-52 win over Lewis, 218-68 win over Hillsdale and 211.5-85.5 win against Calvin.