Someone should warn all GLIAC women’s basketball programs that redemption is swiftly coming, and in its wake will be a black and blue trail.

Grand Valley State University’s team is gearing up for a run at its first GLIAC Championship since winning it, along with the NCAA National Championship, in 2005-06.

Starting fresh after last season ended in a 1-5 skid over the team’s last six games along with a loss in the GLIAC quarterfinals, the Lakers look to take back the top spot in a tough conference.

The key to climbing to the top of the GLIAC will be the team’s depth, said GVSU head coach Janel Burgess. The Lakers return four starters, but the team took a heavy blow when senior co-captain Kara Crawford was sidelined for the season with a torn ACL suffered in practice last week.

“I think our depth was a very huge quality for us heading into the season,” Burgess said. “I don’t see (losing Kara) being too much of an issue. I think the hardest thing will be losing her overall leadership and her presence on the court, having been in the program for three years, going on four. Overall, I think the team will be able to quickly mend the fence and move forward.”

Burgess added Kara will continue to be deeply involved in the team’s day-to-day activities once she can walk again.

“Kara’s captaincy and ability to contribute to this team won’t change, besides that she won’t be on the court,” Burgess said. “She’s anxious to be back with us. She’s just trying to get off the crutches and be comfortable walking right now.”

Elizabeth Van Tiflin, the lone senior and co-captain remaining on the active roster, said while Crawford’s presence will be missed, her teammates will step up.

“Losing her was disheartening, but at the same time, I’ve got the team on my back now,” Van Tiflin said. “Because we’re so deep this year, when the starters go out and the subs come in, we don’t really lose anything. We’re still communicating on defense, which leads into our offense and has that same energy out on the floor. All 13 of us can work together for 40 minutes.”

The Lakers are expecting big things from junior guard Jasmine Padin and sophomore center Alex Stelfox, both of whom were named to the preseason All-GLIAC team. Padin was the chosen as the team’s third captain after starting the first 58 games of her career, and Stelfox comes off a season in which she led the team in points, field goal percentage and blocks. Stelfox was also named last season’s GLIAC Freshman of the year.

“I was surprised (to get nominated),” Stelfox said. “It’s a good accomplishment. Right now, I have a lot more confidence. Last year, I didn’t know what to expect or what was coming. Now, I know what to do and what not to do. I’m excited to see how I’m going to react.”

The Lakers expect to face tough matches from familiar foes. Northwood University and Northern Michigan University both proved difficult games for the Lakers, but Michigan Technological University could be the greatest challenge yet. The Lakers have not defeated the Huskies in four years, and former GVSU guard Emma Veach chose to transfer to Michigan Tech over the summer.

“I think the one we have a chip on our shoulder about is Michigan Tech,” Van Tiflin said. “In my four years here, we’ve never beaten them. I think this is our year to really take them down. They’re our top rival, and when you see them on the calendar, you put a little star next to it because you have that extra fight in you.”

The Lakers will begin play Sunday by taking on Michigan State University in an exhibition game for the second straight season. They will open the regular season on the road against Urbana University on Nov. 12.

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