GVSports Monthly Magazine

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Men’s and Women’s Tennis Previews | GVSU Softball Begins its 2011 Campaign

March 2011

Matt Mitchell

Head Football Coach

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IN THIS ISSUE 5

WOMEN’S TENNIS Undefeated Fall Season Sets Women’s Tennis Team Up for the Spring

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2 FEATURED PHOTO THE SPOTLIGHT 4 IN Nick Postma - Football Recruiting

the SCORECARD Fun Statistics for the Laker Baseball and Softball Teams

6 NEWS IN BRIEF 6 BASEBALL/SOFTBALL STATS 7

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MEN’S TENNIS Men’s Tennis Prepares for the GLIAC Season

with the GLIAC Commissioner

11 The Green Zone 13 PLAYER PROFILES

Joe Jablanski & Sarah Hoffman

FOOTBALL

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SOFTBALL Youthful Lakers Look to Restore GVSU Softball Success

pg. 8

2011 Signing Day Grand Valley State signs 24 new recruits ...

by Tim Nott editor in chief

FREE MONTHLY MAGAZINE

Volume 2 Number 8

EDITOR IN CHIEF Tim Nott

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Doug Witte

MANAGING EDITOR Doug Lipinski

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Charlie Read

PRINTER Jenison Printing STAFF WRITERS DJ Foster Kelsey Deacon

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14 16 CALENDAR

Featured events for March 2011

16 SANDRA’S SNAPSHOT

CONTRIBUTORS Janine Freeman Adam Ingraham Sandra Jennings Sharon Kowalczyk Kyle Schwerin GV Sports Marketing GVSU Sports Information

GV Sports Monthly Magazine is a magazine that focuses on athletics at Grand Valley State University. Copies of the magazine are free to the community and located on news stands in the greater Grand Rapids area. Copies of the magazine are also distributed in Allendale by the Advance Newspaper.

GV Sports Monthly Magazine GVSU, 192 Fieldhouse

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With a crowd of over 5,863 the 131Showdown became the highest attended home basketball game for GVSU. Photos by Doug Witte

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

5 Assistant Football Coach Nick Postma

considerations for recruiting for an NCAA Division II football team.

FINDING TAlENT

MANAGING SCHOlARSHIPS

We go out for a week in the spring and talk with high school head coaches on their seniors-to-be. We also spend a lot of time during the summer going to one-day camps. MSU/CMU/WMU/Ball St. at that point we can talk to them and get to know them while evaluating their speed/agility and ball skills. We also hold our own oneday camp here where we can evaluate them. You build good relationships with the high school coaches so they sometimes e-mail us or we e-mail them for information on kids. Some will send junior film and you can watch them and get a good gauge on them. There are websites you can go to and look up kids - Rivals, Forbes Report and Scout.

At the Division 1 level there are several factors that go into a recruit deciding who he wants to sign with. However, cost of attendance is not one of those because they only offer “full rides”. In contrast, we deal with all the factors in the process, plus the cost of education because we rarely offer a full scholarship.

lIFE IN THE BAlANCE

When we get the faxes back on signing day it’s a BIG relief around here. It seems like the last weekend we are always crossing our fingers that a MAC school does not pick up one of our kids late. The month of January can get a little stressful so when those NLI’s (National Letter of Intent) come in through the fax machine we are very excited. We usually head to Perkins and have a staff breakfast when we have them all.

Being a student athlete is not easy; you have to be able to have great time management skills. We have study hall 3 times per week and we provide tutors for our kids.

Dr Damon Arnold does a great job with providing the resources that our kids need to be successful in the classroom. We also class-check our kids and give them monthly grade checks.

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TECHNOlOGy HAS AN IMPACT I would say that more and more kids are putting their highlight film on YouTube. That makes it very easy for us to watch their film. We don’t use facebook. Having e-mail on our phones also helps us communicate with them more frequently.

SIGNING DAy RElIEF OR GRIEF)

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Undefeated Fall Season

by Kyle Schwerin S e t s Wo m e n ’ s Te n n i s contributing writer Team Up for the Spring

he Laker women’s tennis team has already been through the conference portion of its schedule in the fall season and made a big impression on the rest of the country. The Lakers went undefeated in the fall en route to capturing the GLIAC regular season and tournament championships.

The preseason rankings listed Grand Valley State at #15 in the country, but a 17-0 start to its year has the Lakers poised to move up when the new rankings come out on March 9th. In addition, the doubles pairing of Chelsea Johnston and Darylann Trout is ranked #12 in Division II in the preseason rankings and a 19-5 record thus far has them in position to move up the boards.

The pair played their way to a seventh place finish at the USTA/ITA Division II Doubles Finals in Mobile, Ala. Before that, Johnston and Trout took home the USTA/ITA Midwest Regional Championship at Jenison High School, defeating 11th-ranked Sharon

Hill and Kristina Goranskaya from Wayne State in the finals by a score of 8-3.

The Lakers started their season with three straight wins away from home, taking down #42 Wayne State (72), Findlay (9-0) and Tiffin (9-0) on consecutive days to begin their year.

After the ITA Regional Tournament, Grand Valley State again went on the road, beating Lake Superior State (90) and Michigan Tech (8-1). The Lakers then traveled to Midland to take on perennial powerhouse and 24th-ranked Northwood. A 5-4 victory over the Timberwolves proved that the Lakers were a force on the national stage. GVSU captured all three doubles matches on the day, while Johnston and Katelyn Schaffer won their singles matches.

GVSU finally came home for a five-match tilt and started things off with a 6-3 victory over #34 Ferris State.

The Lakers then defeated Ashland (5-4),

Ohio Dominican (7-2) and Lake Erie (90) in GLIAC play, as well as Davenport (9-0) in nonconference action.

The Lakers wrapped up their GLIAC schedule and fall regular season

spring season, defeating Bellarmine (81) and the University of Indianapolis (90).

The Lakers will be embarking on a three-game road trip at Lewis, DePauw and Luther as they preA 17-0 start to its year has pare for their spring break trip the Lakers poised to move in Florida.

GVSU will play eight up when the new rankings matches over six days in come out on March 9th.

Florida, including tilts against by defeating Saginaw Valley State 8-1. #38 Southern New Hampshire and #50 In the GLIAC Tournament, the Upper Iowa. In addition to those two Lakers got things started by beating ranked opponents, the Lakers will also Lake Superior State 5-0 in the first take on Presbyterian, College of New round. GVSU defeated Wayne State 5- Jersey, Walsh, Rockhurst, Winona State 3 in the semifinals to set up a rematch and the State College of Florida. with Northwood in the finals. GVSU After returning from their trip, dispatched of the Timberwolves handily the Lakers will finish their spring season in the finals, winning three singles by taking on Hope and Calvin. GVSU matches and two doubles competitions ends the regular season with a home to claim the conference title. match-up against Coe as they prepare Grand Valley State has already for the NCAA Tournament in mid-May. jumped out to a good start on their

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NEWS IN BRIEF

GVSU Lakers on Foursquare The GVSU Lakers are now on Foursquare!

Be a part of Laker Nation. Check in to GVSU varsity athletic venues like Lubbers Stadium, the Fieldhouse Arena, the baseball field, softball field, and soccer field using foursquare and unite with some of the best fans around.

Swimming and Diving Nationals Grand Valley State finished second at the 2011 GLIAC Swimming and Diving Championship with a four-day team score of 728 points. The weekend of March 8th, they will be traveling to San Antonio, Texas to compete in the Division II National Championships.

USTFCCCA All-Academic Teams The Grand Valley State women's Cross Country team was named the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA DII Women's Scholar Team of the Year. The Lakers recorded a cumulative team GPA of 3.37 through the 2010 fall semester.

GLIAC Basketball Tournament The 2010-11 regular seasons have drawn to a close, which means it’s time for March Madness. The conference tournaments for men’s and women’s programs begin on March 2, and the GLIAC Tournament Champion will be crowned on Mar. 6.

For Student-Athletes Career Athletes is a social networking site for student-athletes who are looking for a job. The website offers an opportunity for student-athletes to connect with alumni, employers, and current athletes. Career Athletes’ purpose is to help student-athletes transition to the workplace after college with networking and career coaches.

For more information visit careerathletes.com.

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1972

Date the GLIAC was founded with GVSU as an original member

Dell Robin s o n GLIAC Commissio n e r

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-QWhat is the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC) and who are its members?

-AThe GLIAC is a Division II athletic conference that was founded in 1972. It serves as the administrative headquarters for 20 sports both men’s and women’s. The conference is comprised of 14 members: Ashland University, Ferris State University, University of Findlay, Grand Valley State University, Hillsdale College, Lake Erie College, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Technological University, Northern Michigan University, Northwood University, Ohio Dominican University, Saginaw Valley State University, Tiffin University, Wayne State University. Both University of Indianapolis and Lewis University serve as Associate Members.

-QWhy and when did you decide to pursue a career in collegiate athletics?

-AI started out as a sports administration major my freshman year. I had a love for sports and I was a former student-athlete who wanted to stay close to athletics and the industry.

-QWhat do you enjoy most about being commissioner of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference?

-AI enjoy being able to make a difference and influence change. It allows me to have the experience of the athletics environment every week.

-ADivision II athletics will continue to grow. The world of D2 is evolving and shaping athletics guided by principals. I think the GLIAC through our history and competitive success will continue to have a seat at the table. We will examine growth in the state of Michigan.

-QExplain a little bit about how you got to be where you are today.

A I started working at my first conference office (SWAC) in 1992.

I took to the job and enjoyed it.

I have worked at four conference offices in my career. I built my career through working in compliance and championships.

I served on few NCAA Commit-QGive us a brief over-view of tees responsible for developing your responsibilities as com- policy and shaping intercollegiate athletics. missioner.

-A-QThe Commissioner is involved in the total oversight of administra- What is your favorite memtion of scheduling, marketing, ory or proudest moment compliance/enforcement, and from your job?

-Apolicy development.

I am still so new it would probably be accepting the position and -QHow do you view the future sitting in the chair in front of our of Division II Athletics, and Council of Presidents and Manmore specifically the GLIAC agement Council for the first time.

Conference?

“I had a love for sports and I was a student-athlete who wanted to stay close to athletics...”

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2010-2011 GLIAC championships GVSU Earned of the 8 fall sports (football, men’s cross country, women’s cross country, women’s soccer, women’s tennis)

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Consecutive years GVSU has won the GLIAC President’s Trophy (Presiden’t Trophy awarded to the member school demonstrating excellence in all sports)

3.94

GPA of GVSU football player Alex Glide, 20092010 GLIAC “Male ScholarAthlete of the Year” (one male and one female athlete awarded the honor each year)

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l a k e r s r e a dy f o r s p r i n g p ra c t i c e

by Tim Nott editor in chief

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he 2011 Grand Valley State foot- pionship and advancing to the NCAA GVSU will have its pick of run- receiver. Versatile senior Greg Gay (6-1, ball team is eagerly awaiting the DII Playoffs. However, the sting of that ning backs in 2011, along with the op- 205) led the Lakers in receptions (50) start of spring practice. The Lak- last game lingers and I know the 2011 portunity to put different combinations and receiving yards (769) a year ago. ers will never totally forget the 2010 sea- Laker football team is chomping at the on the field. Junior Norman Shuford (5- Fellow senior Jovonne Augustus (6-6, son-ending loss at Augustana in the bit to get back on the field,” added 9, 196) rushed for 661 yards and five 230) hauled in 28 catches for 590 yards second round of the NCAA DII playoffs, Mitchell.

TDs on just 93 carries (7.1 ypc), while and a team-high nine TDs in 2010. Junbut getting back on the iors Israel Woolfork (6-3, field in preparation for 210) and Chris Crawford 2011 Signing Day Class the 2011 campaign will (6-0, 185) return, along Name Pos Ht Wt Hometown/High School serve as a therapeutic rewith sophomore Brandan RB 5-9 175 Plainfield, Ill./South solve of getting better Dondre Adams Green (5-9, 175). The RB 5-10 194 Dearborn, Mich./Fordson every day for 15 prac- Rabeah Beydoun Lakers will also have the Mitch Bredberg PK 5-9 150 Ada, Mich./West Catholic tices and getting ready Coty Brown services of four receivers OL 6-6 271 Elkhart, Ind./Concord for the 2011 season. Sec- Aaron Cox who redshirted in 2010.

TE 6-4 236 Macomb, Mich./Utica Ford DL/LS 6-4 212 Allen Park, Mich. ond year head coach Derek Deluca Junior transfer Charles DL 6-1 220 Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood Matt Mitchell will wel- Ninlo Diarrassouba Johnson (6-3, 205) from Marquez Gollman LB 5-10 174 Ypsilanti, Mich. come back 48 letterwinEastern Kentucky turned Connor Gould OL 6-4 240 Battle Creek, Mich./Harper Creek ners and 23 players that Darius Hardin heads during practice last DB 6-1 181 South Bend, Ind./Washington have started games the Josh Harris season, while freshmen QB 6-1 200 Beverly Hills, Mich./Detroit Country Day Deondre Hogan LB 6-1 235 Livonia, Mich./Clarenceville last three years. Another Jordan Beachnau (6-0, DB 6-2 205 Zeeland, Mich./East key in looking ahead to Brad Horling 177), Keontre Miskel (6WR 6-4 177 Valparaiso, Ind. the 2011 season is that Dan Hummel 1, 183) and Darryl Pitts Montae Jackson DL 6-1 216 Muskegon, Mich./Orchard View Mitchell was able to Brett Johnson (6-2, 185) made a numDB 6-2 179 Grand Ledge, Mich. keep his entire coaching Andrew Klompstra ber of plays versus the OL 6-5 250 Cedar Springs, Mich.

LB 6-1 205 Churubusco, Ind. staff together. Mitchell Kyle Mathewson Lakers’ starting defense.

QB 6-0 215 Stockbridge, Mich. and his staff will begin to Jeff O’Brien Senior tight ends Tony Jamie Potts TE 6-2 205 Ravenna, Mich./Muskegon Oakridge incorporate the redshirt Carreri (6-3, 245) and Brandon Revenberg DL 6-3 259 Essex, Ontario freshmen into the rota- Thomas Sellers Andrew Lorman (6-2, WR 6-4 183 Orchard Lake, Mich/St. Mary’s Prep tion and to take yet a Robert Shelby 225) caught a combined WR 6-1 176 Stevensville, Mich./Lakeshore Jim Walsh OL 6-5 282 Howell, Mich. closer look at a promis23 passes for 344 yards ing freshman class that and four TDs last season. spent the 2010 season on the scout squad.

After trotting just four quarter- sophomore Hersey Jackson toted the ball Junior Tyler Moran (6-6, 245) performed Underclassmen will get additional work backs out the previous 14 years (Jeff 34 times for 140 yards. Fellow sopho- well as a sophomore, while senior Blair due to the fact that six players (TE Tony Fox, Curt Anes, Cullen Finnerty and more Michael Ratay, who is returning Hollis (6-1, 235) will see action as an HCarreri, OT Max Larson, OG James Brad Iciek), GVSU will have back-to- from off season ankle surgery, rushed 18 Back (fullback/tight end).

Hardy, OG Ian Evans, DL Danny back years with a new starting QB. Kyle times for 143 yards (7.9 ypc). Jake Aberg The Lakers will be looking to Richard, DL Brandon Allen) that will be McMahon, a transfer from Eastern (5-11, 205), a junior transfer from Min- get a number offensive linemen extended coming back for their senior year in 2011 Michigan, used the one year of eligibility nesota State was a 1,000-yard rusher in experience during spring drills. Four will not be participating in spring drills he had left in 2010, creating an opening starters and eight letterwinners Depth doesn’t appear to be an due to the 10 semester rule. The Lakers in 2011. Sophomore Heath Parling (6-2, return, but a talented group of will begin spring practice March 19 at 205) was able get some limited time on issue in the secondary. GVSU has redshirt freshmen and sopho12:01 a.m. with Mitch-A-Palooza in the the field a year ago and enters spring ball a group of 12 players that will be mores will need to provide Laker Turf Building. The annual spring with the most command of the Laker ofdepth. Juniors Matt Armstrong in the hunt for playing time... game will take place April 16 at Lubbers fense. Parling completed 20-of-30 passes (6-3, 290) and Tim Lelito (6-4, Stadium. for 251 yards and two TDs, while run- 2009, while freshman Chris Robinson 315) will get limited reps during spring “We are excited to get back on ning for 69 yards and three TDs on 10 (6-1, 212) was the co-offensive scout drills, giving a great deal of time to senthe field and improve on what we did in carries. Redshirt freshmen Brandon team player of the year in 2010 for the iors Alex Ahee (6-5, 310) and Mark Mor2010,” said Mitchell. “When you look at Beitzel (6-3, 218) and Isiah Grimes (6-6, Lakers. rison (6-5, 315), juniors Dominic the season as a whole we did some good 223) will keep the pressure on Parling In addition, Grand Valley State Cundari (6-2, 290) and Andrew Biedenthings, like winning a conference cham- and push for playing time. will have no shortage of options at wide bender (6-5, 305) and redshirt freshmen

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Austin Green (6-3, 285) and Eric LaBuhn (6-5, 315).

The Laker defensive line was perceived as a weakness in 2010 due to injuries and players that sat out the season. The 2011 defensive line will have the services of those players that were either injured or sat out the 2010 campaign, along with six returning letterwinners and three redshirt freshmen. A quick glance at the depth chart shows 10 letterwinners, eight starters and 13 players that will be relied on for the 2011 season. Senior All-American Danny Richard (6-4, 265) looks to return after suffering two ACL injuries. Richard ranks among the all-time leaders in DII career tackles for loss (52.0/224 yards) and QB sacks (30.0/176). Juniors Ryan Pettis (6-2, 225), Ricky Thomas (6-1, 285), Denzel Rogers (6-4, 255), Brandon Allen (6-5, 240) and sophomores Hunter Charneski (6-2, 245), Lucas Kozuch (63, 245) and Kenny McDaniel (6-2, 290) all started games or played a significant amount of time in 2010. As a group they combined for 93 total tackles and 19 tackles for loss. Seniors Andre Thomas (6-3, 255) and Ryan Wheat (6-5, 310) return after sitting out the 2010 season.

Thomas recorded 47 total tackles, 13

tackles for loss (-69) and 7.5 QB sacks (- have started games for the Lakers. Senior 54) in 2009. GVSU will also get three Chris Huley (6-0, 205) and sophomores redshirt freshmen in the rotation with the Reggie Williams (5-9, 170) and Michael likes of Matt Judon (6-3, 255), Craig Hatcher (5-10, 173) have all started Wilson (6-2, 280) and Isiah Dunning (6- games at cornerback for the Lakers, 2. 240) joining the Lakers up front. while junior Kenny Veal (6-0, 195) GVSU lost the services of senior started at cornerback as a true freshman All-GLIAC linebacker Justin Victor, but at the University of Toledo. Senior safety will get back sophomore linebacker Ricky Shorkey. Sophomore Luther Ware (6-0, 220) tallied 77 total tackles and led the team in tackles for loss (13.5) and QB sacks (8.0) last season. Senior Brad Howard (62, 235) will battle for a starting spot, while Shorkey (6-3, 215) collected 53 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss as a redshirt freshman in 2009. Sophomores Zach Galloway (6-3, 215) and Jordan Kaufman (6-3, 217) saw a great deal of playing time in Coach Mitchell Prepares for the Spring 2010, while redshirt freshmen Adam Koning (6-1, 215) and Antonio Zach Breen (5-10, 200) was a First-Team Hutchins (6-0, 210) will push for playing All-GLIAC performer in 2010 after time. recording 101 tackles and 9.5 tackles for Depth doesn’t appear to be an loss. Junior Jarrod Cox (6-1, 205) tallied issue in the secondary. GVSU has a 45 tackles, while sophomore Erik group of 12 players that will be in the Thompson (6-1, 200) notched 53 tackles hunt for playing time, including six that and picked off two passes despite dealing

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with a shoulder injury midway through the season. Sophomore Charles Hill (61, 200) was an outstanding special teams player and will push for more playing time at safety, while freshmen Deonte Hurst (5-11, 190) and Bobby Wunderlich (6-3, 205) showed promise with the scout team last fall.

The Lakers must find a long snapper, a position that gets overlooked until a bad snap, after losing three-year starter Kurt Schnittger. Sophomore Ryan Stokes and redshirt freshman Chris Picano will battle for the punting duties, while Stokes and redshirt freshman Marco Iaderosa will handle place kicking duties.

“Spring football is an exciting time,” stated Mitchell. “Your numbers are down because you don’t have the seniors from the previous season and your most recent recruiting class is obviously still in high school. You get more individual time with your student-athletes and as a coach you take great pride in watching those players mature on the practice field. You are able to see the younger players understand what we are teaching them and when the light goes on you see some good football players become even better.”

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by Kyle Schwerin contributing writer

he Grand Valley State men’s tennis team turned in a solid fall season, competing in three tournaments to prepare for its spring schedule.

At the DePauw Fall Invitational in Greencastle, Ind. Bryan Hodges took home the singles championship, while Philipp Claus and Josh Kazdan both captured consolation championships in singles competition.

Hodges and Andrew Darrell then teamed up to win the consolation finals in doubles competition at the invite.

The Lakers traveled to Indianapolis to compete in the USTA/ITA Midwest Championships and benefitted from a couple solid performances, most notably out of Claus, who advanced to the semifinals of the consolation bracket in singles competition.

Trey Keating made it to the quarterfinals of the consolation bracket in his singles flight. In doubles, it was Hodges and partner Marc Roesslein

Men’s Tennis Prepares for the GLIAC Season winning their first round matchup before bowing out in the round of 16 in a tight 9-7 decision.

The Lakers competed in the GVSU Invitational, where Claus captured the “A” singles championship, defeating Preston Phillips of Calvin, 63 and 6-4.

Darrell won the “B” singles championship for the Lakers, taking down teammate Kazdan by a 6-2, 7-5 score.

The “C” singles flight was another all-Laker final, as Jeff Globerson beat Keating for the title in a three-set match, 2-6, 6-3, 10-6.

In doubles competition, Globerson and Claus combined to win the “A” championship by an 8-2 score, while Kazdan and Keating won the “B” doubles championship by a score of 8-4.

The Lakers kicked off the spring portion of their schedule with a victory over Indianapolis by a 6-3 final

score, and then dominated the Grand spring break trip in Florida. GVSU Rapids City Tournament, going 19-4 will also face tough competition from Presbyterian and Vincennes on their overall in the competition.

Darrell led the way in the tour- schedule in Florida.

After returning home, the Laknament, going 2-0 in number three singles action and combining with Claus to go 3-0 at num- ...they dominated the Grand ber two doubles.

Rapids City Tournament, Having a big day for going 19-4 overall...

GVSU was Hodges, who went 3-0 at number four singles and ers will get into their nine-game conteamed with Roesslein to go 1-1 in ference slate, facing Michigan Tech, Lake Superior State, Findlay and Tiffin number one doubles.

Kazdan went 2-0 at number in home matches. five singles and 2-0 at number three The Lakers will then be on a doubles to cap off a solid tournament. five-match road trip among GLIAC riKeating was 2-1 at number six singles vals, traveling to #40 Ferris State on while chipping in a 2-0 record at num- before facing Lake Erie and Ohio Dober three doubles at the tournament. minican. GVSU will finish conference The Lakers have a handful of play by traveling to #38 Wayne State ranked opponents on the nonconfer- and #22 Northwood before competing ence schedule, as they’ll take on #36 in the GLIAC Tournament April 15th Southern Indiana on the campus of through 17th. The NCAA Division II Lewis University as well as #37 Rock- Tournament will take play in mid-May. hurst and #7 Florida Southern on its

scale.

On a

Small classes. Big thinkers. Raise your hand if you prefer personal attention. At Grand Valley, we keep class sizes small to provide students with individual instruction from the highly qualified faculty who teach all of our classes. It’s just one of the reasons U.S. News & World Report has named us one of the “Best in the Midwest” three years in a row. gvsu.edu/GRAND | (616) 331-2025

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by DJ Foster staff writer

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he 2011 Grand Valley State softball team has quite an interesting mix of experience and youthfulness, with the prior coming from the dugout and the latter involving the players on the field. GVSU head coach Doug Woods enters his 21st season at the helm of Laker softball with 727 career wins, yet this is the first time in his career where he has not had a senior player on his roster.

In fact, 14 of the 18 players on this year’s team are either freshmen or sophomores, making the 2011 Lakers one of the youngest teams in program history. But Woods, who will coach in his 1,100th game later this season, doesn’t necessarily see this as a deterrent or disadvantage. Besides, GVSU has some experience, returning 11 letterwinners and five starters from last year.

“Experience is obviously important,” Woods explained. “On paper, we’re young, but our current sophomore class played a lot last year and our juniors did too. We have players with a good amount of playing experience and we feel good with the group we have.”

Woods and assistant coach Dana Callihan have nearly 30 combined years of coaching experience, while Callihan played her last two seasons in Woods’ first two seasons at GVSU. Needless to say, the pair has seen a lot of softball during their time and Woods knows that his team may be young, but they are talented. The Lakers are coming off a 2224 campaign in 2010 (just the third losing season in Woods’ tenure), but GVSU was the top hitting team in the conference with a .317 average and returns its top three hitters.

“With the addition of a few new players and with us being fully healthy now, our pitching should be improved from last year,” Woods commented.

“Our hitting should also take a step up from last season, as well. When we get to full strength, we should have a fairly respectable lineup.”

Not only was Woods lucky enough to have last season’s GLIAC Freshman of the Year in third baseman/pitcher Katie Martin, the better news is he has Martin for three more seasons. Playing as a true freshman, Martin quickly established herself as one of the best overall hitters - power, contact, consistency - in the entire GLIAC. Just the second player in Grand Valley State history to win the league’s Freshman of the Year award, Martin

Youthful Lakers Look to Restore

GVSU Sof tball Success ranked in the top-six in the GLIAC in six offensive categories, while leading GVSU in nearly every offensive statistic.

Martin ranked fourth in the conference in homers (nine) and slugging percentage (.678), fifth in RBI (40) and

tests at third base. Bertram’s .376 batting average was second on the team and 10th in the GLIAC, while she was second on Grand Valley State in runs (28), hits (53), homers (five), total bases (77), and onbase percentage (.436), which also was 10th-best in the league.

A young pitching staff (and team, for that matter) will be controlled by junior catcher Carli Raisutis, who has earned AllGLIAC Honorable Mention laurels each of her first two seasons. Last year, Raisutis was second on the team with 16 extrabase hits, totaling nine doubles, two triples, and five home runs. She ranked third on the team in batting average (.361) and total bases (67), while her .620 slugging percentage was sixth-best in the league.

Defensively, Raisutis committed just one error in 141 chances, good for a team-best .993 fielding percentage.

Woods also brings back Katie Martin was named the GLIAC starting centerfielder Nellie Freshman of the Year in 2010.

Kosola, who manned the on-base percentage (.466), and sixth in middle of the outfield in all 46 games last batting average (.392) and total bases season. She was an All-GLIAC Second (97). Her nine home runs are fourth-most Team choice after hitting .344 and ownin a single season in Laker history, while ing a team-high 19-game hitting streak. her 14 doubles are tied for sixth-best in Kosola placed third on GVSU in hits a season at GVSU. (52) and runs (24), while totaling eight “We’re expecting great things outfield assists defensively. from Katie again this year,” said Woods.

“Those girls that saw a lot of “She’s a very consistent hitter and has a playing time last year, we’ll turn to them good eye for the strike zone. She is a this season and expect them to guide the power hitter that doesn’t strike out much freshmen along,” described Woods. and that really helps her be successful.” “We’ve got a good group of young playBefore an injury limited Martin to playing third base and staying off the pitching rubber, she was the team’s top hurler. She was 10-5 on the year with a 1.66 earned run average and struck out 96 batters in 97 innings in the circle. Martin appears to be back at full health and should help the team at both posi- ers and returning letterwinners and we’re tions this season. expecting them to lead by example.”

Joining Martin to form a potent Grand Valley State will certainly 1-2 punch in the Laker lineup is sopho- be tested early in the season, when the more infielder Kayleigh Bertram. She Lakers head to Florida for the NTC was an NFCA All-Midwest Region Sec- Spring Games in early March and play ond Team choice and an All-GLIAC 12 games in seven days. Woods knows Second Team selection last season, start- the competition is tough, but will ultiing 25 games at second base and 20 con- mately help out the team in the long run.

21st-year head coach Doug Woods enters his first season without a senior on the roster.

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Double Trouble Fans of the Laker basketball team might think they’re seeing double if they come out to a GVSU softball game this season. And they would be correct. Twins Briauna and Brittany Taylor will be joining the Laker softball team after completing the 2010-11 season with the basketball program.

“The Taylors certainly make us stronger,” said Woods, as the sisters will miss the season-opening trip to Florida, but should be able to join the team for most of the year. “They’re very athletic and I’m sure they’ll adjust to softball very quickly.”

Briauna is GVSU’s leader in both scoring (15.5 ppg.) and rebounding (7.0 rpg.) on the basketball court and looks to be a middle infielder for Woods on the diamond. Brittany, who averages 7.7 points per game and shoots 53 percent from the field, can either catch or play the outfield.

Both Taylor girls had strong high school softball careers and look to bring their college basketball success over to the infield and outfield soon.

“The competition we’ll face in Florida is the toughest we’ve faced in my time here,” Woods noted. “Two of the teams made it to the final eight of the national tournament and three other teams made it deep in the regional tournament.

It’s great to have a competitive schedule and it will certainly bode well for us as we get ready for league play.”

After playing a dozen games in Florida against top-notch opponents like Bloomsburg, Molloy, and Wayne State (Neb.), the Lakers will play a doubleheader at Olivet on Mar. 17 and participate in the Urbana Tournament on Mar. 19-20. GVSU will then open the home portion of its schedule on Mar. 22 against Saint Joseph’s in a twinbill beginning at 3:00 p.m. before closing out March with three GLIAC doubleheaders at Ohio Dominican, Ashland, and Lake Erie.

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PLAYER PROFILES I felt it was Why did you choose Tradition of winning. Good the place I could be the to become a Laker? academics. most successful on and off the course.

Richard Hamilton Cedric Benson Favorite athlete to Detroit Pistons watch in another sport? Cincinnati Bengals

SARAH

HOFFMAN year

JUNIOR

My parents. They introduced me to the game early and have been there for me ever since. They drove me to tournaments, caddied, and taught me to never give up.

hometown

SALINE, MI sport

WOMEN’S GOLF

My Dad. He was alwyas teaching me and pushing me to be better as I grew up.

Who would you play in a

Superhero movie: Superhero or Villain? Superhero March Madness Working as a nurse or going to graduate school.

major

NURSING

Who has made the biggest impact on your sports career?

Opening Day or March Madness Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

FAVORITE...

Chicken Parmesan Inception Not Afraid

by Eminem

Michigan Football The snow melting so we can play outside & Nationals

Food Movie Song

March Madness Working in the field of corporate wellness and staying around baseball. Maybe coaching.

Cheeseburger Kingpin Laker Nation

Boston Red Sox Sports Team Part About Spring Warm Weather

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J O E

JABlONSKI year

5TH YEAR major

EXERCISE SCIENCE hometown

TEMPERANCE, MI sport

BASEBALL

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H C R A M

Shaylee Vanderbaan

Cory Rademacher

Maggie Kerrigan

Nick Carreri

Cross Country/Track & Field Jenison, Mich.

Baseball Dewitt, Mich.

Softball Frankfort, Ill.

Men’s Basketball Clinton Twp., Mich.

What teams do you want to see play in the final four?

Michigan State, Duke, Kansas & Baylor

Michigan State, BYU, UConn & N. Carolina

Would you let a company tattoo its logo on your body?

Depends what the tattoo is & where on my body

ABSOLUTELY

Do you think there will be an NFL lockout?

NOPE

Who do you think is a great female?

One word to describe

GVSU Athletics

YES

I hope they come out with fantasy for Canadian football

WOMEN’S Shalane Flanagan

American Distance Runner

Michigan State, Duke, Duke, Texas, BYU & Illinois & Illinois-Chicago Georgetown

NO:

the Jersey Shore TV show logo for free

it’s too popular for a “lockout” to ever take place

HISTORY

Danica Patrick

YES

Yes, I enjoy $$$ and don’t mind tattoos

MONTH

Katie Martin (she’s a stud)

DOMINATION SUCCeSS Success

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Not if Tony Carreri is drafted –Mya Moore (or Jeff Bauer)

Wes Trammell

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March CALENDAR MARCH men’s basKetball The Laker basketball team will 2

begin post season action with the GLIAC Tournament.

MARCH 2

MARCH 19

MARCH men’s tennis GVSU will play Findlay at 12 25

Women’s basKetball GVSU will enter the post season with the start of the conference Tournament on Tuesday, March 2.

MARCH 18

men’s tennis The tennis team will host Lake Superior State at 10 am, followed by Aquinas at 3 pm at the Riverview Athletic Club.

MARCH 22

men’s tennis The tennis team will host Mich Tech at 3:30 pm at Ramblewood Tennis Club.

softball The Lakers will host their first home contest of the year against Saint Joseph’s with a doubleheader at 3 pm and 5 pm.

MARCH men’s tennis The tennis team will host Tiffin 26

pm followed by Davenport at the Riverview Athletic Club.

at 10 am at the Ramblewood Tennis Club.

SANDRA’S SNAPSHOT

A photo from the women’s basketball alumni reunion (l-r): Barb Hansen, Joan Boand, Faith Heikkila, Janel Burgess, and Pat Baker-Gryzb.

Sandra Jennings is an Administrative Assistant in the athletic department.

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