GVSU Quick Hits

By Lanthorn Sports ([email protected])

GVSU women’s tennis claims 4-0 win over Ashland on Friday (may need to be updated depending on Saturday and Sunday’s results)

The Grand Valley State women’s tennis team defeated Ashland 4-0 on Friday evening in the GLIAC Women’s Tennis Tournament Quarterfinals at the Greater Midland Tennis Complex in Midland, MI.

In doubles, GVSU took the pivotal point after sweeping the Eagles, with Vera Griva and Marily Canellopoulos winning 6-3 from the No.1 position, as well as Madison Ballard and Nicole Heiniger winning 6-1 from the No.2 position. 

In singles, GVSU held Ashland scoreless and secure the victory to secure the match. Ballard played well from the No.2 position, winning 6-0, 6-1. Canellopoulos earned a victory from the No.3 by a margin of 6-4, 6-4, and Heiniger won 6-3, 6-1 from the No. 5 spot.

On Sunday, Oct. 28, they also defeated the Michigan Tech Huskies 4-1. 

With the GLIAC tournament all wrapped up, the tennis team looks ahead to regionals, where they will be tested against some of the best tennis squads in the Midwest. Regionals is set to start this week.

Five GVSU tennis players earn All-GLIAC honors, Vera Griva earns GLIAC Freshman of the Year

The Grand Valley State women’s tennis team placed five players on the All-GLIAC team, while Vera Griva was also named the GLIAC Freshman of the Year, the league announced on Friday, Oct. 26.

Griva and Senior Madison Ballard were each named First Team All-GLIAC, while freshmen Marija Leko and Marily Canellopoulos received Second Team All-GLIAC honors. Nicole Heiniger also earned an honorable mention.

Griva is the first GVSU tennis player in program history to earn Freshman of the Year in the GLIAC. Griva stepped up in the Laker lineup and became one of the top players in the conference, posting a 9-0 record in singles (5-0 at No. 2 singles, 4-0 at No. 1 singles) and a 6-3 record in doubles, partnering up with Canellopoulos at the No. 1 pairing.

Ballard was selected to the All-GLIAC first team for her third straight year after posting a 6-3 record in singles, including going 3-2 from the No.1 spot. In doubles, Ballard paired with Heiniger to tally a 6-3 from the No. 2 doubles position.

Grand Valley State finished the regular season 8-1 in the GLIAC and were named regular season co-champions in the conference with Northwood.

GVSU women’s lacrosse announces 2019 schedule

The Grand Valley State women’s lacrosse team and first-year head coach Mackenzie Lawler have announced the schedule for the 2019 season. The Lakers will have seven home matches in 2019, including the last five being played in Allendale.

The Lakers will open their season with a spring break trip to Colorado, where they will play Westminster College, Colorado Mesa and reigning regional champion and national semi-finalist Regis across a five-day stretch. Regis beat the Lakers in overtime one year ago.

Notable home matches for the Lakers include Friday, March 29 against McKendree – who ended GVSU’s season in each of the past two years – as well as Friday, April 12 against Northern Michigan. They end their 2019 regular season on Friday, April 26 against Concordia-St.Paul.

The Lakers have won all six GLIAC regular season titles and four of the six tournament crowns since the league adopted women’s lacrosse in 2013.

Varsity Schedule

Football: 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3, Home vs Ashland

Soccer: GLIAC Tournament, 3 p.m., Tuesday, Home vs Purdue Northwest (win secures game on Friday at home)

Volleyball: 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 2, @Parkside, 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3, @Purdue Northwest