GVSU softball extends win streak to 21

To say it’s only been a great season for the No. 12 ranked Grand Valley State softball team would be an understatement, as the Lakers extended their winning streak to 21 straight after a sweep of the Tiffin Dragons on Thursday, April 12. The Lakers’ winning streak is now tied for their second-longest win streak in program history. 

In the first game, pitcher Allison Lipovsky tossed seven scoreless innings to secure a 1-0 GVSU victory over the Tiffin Dragons. The senior pitcher collected her 14th win of the season, striking out 12 and only allowing two hits and walks. The Lakers’ lone run came from a Brooke Henning home run in the fourth inning.

The second game provided more offense, as GVSU won the contest 4-0. Senior pitcher Allie Grys pitched five solid innings of one-hit action, collecting her 10th win of the year. Tanner Kiessel led the Lakers with two RBIs, both coming off singles. 

After the two wins, GVSU’s record now stands at 29-5 overall (16-0 GLIAC). The Lakers will next face Ferris State in a doubleheader on the road Saturday, April 21.

GVSU tennis sweeps weekend series

The Grand Valley State men’s tennis team delivered one of its best performances of the spring season after a 5-0 shutout over Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats on Saturday, April 14.

In the doubles competition, the Lakers swept the Wildcats 3-0. Senior Alex van de Steenoven and redshirt freshman Drew Coleman won the No. 1 doubles pairing by an 8-5 score. In the No. 2 spot, junior Sebastien Lescoulie and freshman D.J. Colantone captured an easy 8-1 victory, while junior Nicholas Urban and sophomore Jack Geissler completed the sweep with an 8-3 victory in the No. 3 pairing.

In the singles competition, Urban won in two sets (6-0, 6-1) from the No. 4 singles position. In the No. 6 singles position, junior Marcus Muniz Infante won 6-0, 6-2 to capture the winning point for the Lakers. 

On Sunday, April 15, the Lakers completed another sweep against GLIAC foe Purdue Northwest, 9-0. Final results and statistics have not been posted.

After their weekend sweep, the Lakers improved their record to 14-7 overall (5-3 GLIAC). GVSU will next compete in the GLIAC Tournament in Midland, Michigan, from Friday, April 20, through Sunday, April 22.

GVSU women’s club lacrosse ranked No. 1 in nation

Grand Valley State has certainly garnered a reputation around the NCAA for having superior athletics. Football, soccer and basketball alike have picked up national rankings and titles for years, but what some don’t realize is the prestige of the Lakers’ club sports programs.

Following a three-win, zero-loss weekend at Toledo University on Saturday, April 7, and Sunday, April 8, defeating Western Michigan 16-2, Taylor University 13-1 and Xavier 11-5, GVSU women’s club lacrosse has ascended to being ranked No. 1 in the country for the Division II Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse League. The Lakers are 10-1 overall and 5-0 in the conference.

While it takes goals to win, defense has fueled the Lakers’ success as junior goalie Alicia Zeller has the most saves in the nation. Her strong season has helped GVSU to an average goal differential of plus-eight with seven of their 10 wins keeping their opponents at four goals or fewer.

The Lakers find themselves one win away from an automatic bid to the national tournament.