While the Grand Valley State University women’s basketball team (9-3, 5-3 GLIAC) has gotten off to a strong start, they are still searching for a key component with the team.

If you ask anyone on the Lakers team or staff, one issue circulates around them: consistency.

“We’re off to a strong start, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have several things we need to work on,” said head coach Janel Burgess. “We have played really good games, and we have also had games where we really haven’t brought it all together. That’s where we need to improve on going forward.”

GVSU will need to figure things out soon. The Lakers will face a plethora of strong GLIAC teams as they head into the deeper part of their schedule.

“This is probably the strongest the GLIAC North has been in a long time,” Burgess said. “Every game is going to be a grind from here on out.”

Looking to lead the Lakers through that grind is senior guard Briauna Taylor, who currently leads the team in points (14.0 ppg), rebounds (6.9 rpg), and assists (2.5 apg).

“This next stretch of games coming up should be a great challenge for us,” Taylor said. “We were on a bit of a roll until this past weekend’s setback versus Malone. It’s our job to play it game by game.”

GVSU is currently in the middle of the pack, sitting alongside Northern Michigan University and Northwood University at 5-3 in league play. Just out of reach in first place is Ferris State University (7-1 GLIAC), second place Michigan Tech University (6-2 GLIAC), and the newcomer of the GLIAC North, Wayne State University (5-2 GLIAC).

“This is arguably the most important time of the year for us,” said junior guard Breanna Kellogg. “We really need to be focused and come out strong every game.”

The Lakers have been able to maintain dominance at home. GVSU sports a 5-1 home record, and seven of their 14 remaining games are to be played in Allendale. Their strong play at home will be key to their further success down the road.

“As every other team probably feels the same, we feel most comfortable at home,” Taylor said. “It’s the atmosphere, playing in front of our friends and family. It’s where we shine the most.”

The Lakers are in action this week as they host back-to-back home games starting this Thursday at 8 p.m. against Northern Michigan University, followed by a Saturday matchup with Michigan Tech University at 3 p.m.

[email protected]