GVSU basketball’s Cassidy Boensch named USBWA National Player of the Week

It’s been quite the couple of weeks for Grand Valley State women’s basketball center Cassidy Boensch. 

From starting the season with limited minutes to slowly gaining the trust of head coach Mike Williams to playing in the starting lineup, the 6-foot-4-inch sophomore not only earned her third straight (fourth total) GLIAC North Division Player of the Week, but she has now been named U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) National Player of the Week for the week of Feb. 25.

During a weekend series against Lake Superior State and Ferris State, Boensch averaged 24.5 points on a field-goal percentage of 74.1. On the defensive side, she also averaged 11.5 rebounds per game and 10 total blocks. 

Against FSU on Saturday, Feb. 24, Boensch scored a career-high 32 points on 13-of-16 makes from the field while also grabbing 12 rebounds for a double-double. With her towering height and skilled footwork, it’s become nearly impossible for other teams to limit her offensively.

Boensch and the Lakers will hope to keep postseason contention alive in the GLIAC Tournament. Follow along their journey to the NCAA Tournament. 

Former GVSU football star Alton Voss to play overseas

After overcoming a drug addiction and later dominating on defense at the age of 27 for the Grand Valley State football team, former Laker defensive end Alton Voss announced Wednesday, Feb. 28, that he will play football in Germany.

On his personal Facebook account, Voss posted, “It’s official, I’m moving to Germany next month to play football for the Postdam Royals. Excited for the opportunity to play football and live overseas!”

The now 29-year-old defensive end will earn $975 a month, according to a story from www.tampabay.com. 

In his final year with GVSU in 2016, Voss totaled 67 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Voss fought his way for a chance to compete with an NFL team, but, ultimately, no opportunities arose. 

Voss was a highly recruited quarterback in high school in Florida before struggling with drug addiction that ended a brief career at the University of South Florida. After he was arrested for stealing a car in Michigan, he spent two years at a treatment center in Argentina. GVSU took a chance on him in 2013. He played tight end before moving to play his final two seasons at defensive end.

GVSU lacrosse ranked No. 22 in first regular-season poll

Moved to the No. 22 spot in the latest Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) poll, the Grand Valley State women’s lacrosse team has high expectations heading into the spring season. 

The Lakers, who received 119 points in the latest rankings, are one of six teams ranked in the Division II top 25 that have yet to begin the 2018 season. GVSU starts play this Saturday, March 3, in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, as part of their spring trip, which also features a pair of games at the U.S. Lacrosse Complex in Sparks, Maryland.

The Lakers were ranked No. 21 in the preseason poll but dropped as Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) foe Indianapolis started the season 3-1 to jump from their original No. 24 position to a tie for the No. 15 spot. McKendree University (No. 21) is also ranked in the top 25, giving the GLIAC three teams in the first regular-season rankings. The Lakers’ two opponents awaiting in Sparks, Maryland, are also both ranked in the latest poll with Le Moyne sitting at No. 4 and Regis at No. 12. The IWLCA updates its coaches poll every Monday throughout the regular season. 

The Lakers were picked to finish first in the GLIAC by league coaches in the preseason poll. GVSU has won five straight GLIAC regular-season titles and won the conference tournament in four of the last five seasons.