>> Welcome back to an all new episode of the Grand Valley State sports report on WGVU.

I'm your host Jake leading this week.

We'll take a dive into women's basketball.

It going 3 and-oh since we last saw them due men's basketball looks ahead to rival Ferris state this week.

We'll also recap the GSU women's soccer team and their national championship.

That secured a 7th national title for the program arpita this week highlights recent transfers on the men's basketball team rocket in Laker nation as the Grand Valley State sport report starts right now.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] GSU women's basketball went 3 unknown for winter break and now sits at 11.

One overall on the season, including a conference win at northwood on the road last Thursday to now talk about the team's head coach Mike Williams coach.

Happy New Year.

Great to have you back in a 3 and a winter break.

So got to feel pretty good.

That was a husband's.

We last talked to.

>> You know, things have been really good with a chance to close on the road with a win to Louis which I thought was huge.

It's really a tough place to play.

In fact, I did that.

I didn't like the look by cameras.

The system here with coach Don puts away.

And then as a head coach, you only have one that building.

I go back and check that.

So the first win, I think in that building and then you go and you know, have a have a break.

Have Aquinas again, quiet.

And then, you know, come back in it at northwood and Thursday was was huge.

>> Yet North was a tough one to start the 2022 calendar years post a play on December 31st, of course, with covid everything's have always fluctuate.

You didn't wind up having that game against central state would maybe the message to the team after maybe 2 weeks off before playing a big conference game on the road to restart 2022.

>> Well, you know, is really interesting stretch as we came back with it, we didn't have central state every practice.

2 days that we had central state.

They call it didn't have it.

We thought we had a couple teams are going to play us and then they come back out.

We did in a squad game and we had our new burst of white.

And I thought, you know what, our teams really even.

And so it's very competitive game that Kevin middle that I got a call from another school that won a down there into a game, but it never didn't work out.

So we finished in a squad game.

Every tide, which is kind of cool.

And then I think that got us ready.

I think the guys ready for northwood.

Thank you.

Prepared us.

I think those extra days of practice helped and.

>> You know, Childers, we will get a good victory at North.

When you go back to Louis on that game.

I want to glance past that.

That is a big win on the road against a good in region opponent guys were down for much of that game had a really strong 3rd quarter to come back and take that lead there and help them off in the 4th and Riley baseball played a fantastic game may be one of the best that I've seen her play the Granite State Laker her young career.

>> You know, she did.

And our team did get to cheer on a little bit.

You know, I think it's good to see a kid growing up.

You know, she's a player that just she's been hesitant, I think to a career it is good to see are now set to step up.

You know, not let one like you miss shot or missed free.

Throw era.

The defense of assignment, you know, bought her, the more they should start to play through that as well as our team.

And I think that says a lot about or upperclassman summer leaders.

You can see them kind of hanging in their games.

You know, we got down to Lewis.

We came at a time out.

They were just locked in.

They were like, you know, hey, you tell him something.

Gotcha was no palms up built.

Skew says no head hanging.

And I think that's why in the last through 4 games.

You see the teams get down and then come back and win in play really well.

>> It stretches in the 2nd half.

I didn't.

I was at the game at northwood into yelling or screaming that you call a timeout 13 down 39 to 30 and out of that time.

Are you going to 26 to 3 run coach to take a 56 to 42 lead.

What was the message in that time out.

How do you feel like a team responded obviously.

Well, and on the on the floor.

>> Yeah, and I think that's what it is.

We go in those time out.

And I said they're locked in.

They really their antennas are out there listening their knowledge in what we're telling them.

They even have some input once like a week.

You know, we need to do this better.

And I think that's like I said, it's a team that we thought was pretty young and not is battle tested as the teams we have in the past.

And so I think they're getting there.

And these are all good.

These are great situation to be put in and then you see how they respond.

So far the responding really well.

>> We saw Riley play really well and that Louis game that her classmate, ella dressed becomes a huge in that game at North and every combat had a huge game as well in some young players really stepped up in big moments for you, coach.

>> You know, it was and we've got a call that I've been playing.

Well, you know, they've just been they've been doing the job done and I'm a consistent.

They've been in every game.

Emily Hanna, Sammy, you know, is upper class McQuaid this.

They just been solid.

And I think was really good to see.

Like you said, Noel has been pretty solid.

Just a big game.

I thought Adrian Hadley.

I did really well and I thought Courtney showing in the first start had a nice game, but she's had some other games.

But yes, they have.

We did a good job.

She came in was able to check because he tied a top score.

We've got a couple shots up on Sunday and then 3 or 4.

And then you said it became a couple had some good decisions.

She hunted some shots didn't go in but good taken and they get that on the defensive end as well.

So that that's good.

We need that.

>> No, they'll get some depth here moving forward.

I'm glad you mentioned Hadley as well.

Could a great game off the bench and Courtney 57 games.

You finally get the starting point.

She take advantage of the night when your attention this week coach 3 games in the stretch of a week.

What we expect this weekend.

>> Well, you know, it's the nice thing is, you know, look at the positives whole in this whole mess here.

But you 0.3 games of the week which are players like to do that.

Like to play games on the front here.

They're excited, which is good.

You got to keep them happy.

But, you know, you're playing 3 at home.

And I think that's that's big.

You know, that thing where they will play 3 in road.

But at least now we're at home and you have downpours again to Riley.

They have been playing as well.

They've been playing well in stretches.

They can put some stretches together.

There will be it's going to be a problem.

And you know, you got it home tonight.

And then you got first to obviously might be the best team in the conference your pick to win it and they are really talented.

And then you get you get Lake state coming on Saturday.

So I think it's 3 good test.

They're all home.

Yes, and I think that's important that we realize that we take care of that and take advantage of that.

>> Well, this young team keeps finding ways to win.

Coach got 3 more opportunities this week.

We're looking forward to him.

That's a look starting tonight.

And thanks as always.

We're just happy New Year.

>> All right, Jay, thanks and happy New Year to buy.

>> We'll be right back with more of the Grand Valley State sport continues on WDTN [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] GSU men's basketball has had their last 2 scheduled matchups postponed this week.

But the team did go one-on-one over the break with a great win over Judson on New Year's Eve this week they set their sights on rival Thursday.

Joining us now to talk about the team's head coach Rick Wesley and coach supposed to play tonight obviously got it that once again your team has postponed.

But what's been your message to your team here to kind of in this holding pattern just wait and see with everything going on.

>> Well, a little bit, you know, back in the last year's mindset with the uncertainty of each and every day.

And so we keep talking about, you know, whoever we play whenever we play, you know, we will be read this just a ready.

But, you know, it's been difficult.

You know, we've had we're literally in a walk to the other day getting ready for the game in the game got called off at northwood.

So our guys have been resilient, appreciate their attitude, their effort and really appreciate the fact that they have gotten their vaccinations.

They're working on getting their Bush is we're doing all we can to make sure that we're prepared to play.

>> Whenever it happens absolutely is obviously not going to play the last couple of games.

But the offense looked really good.

The last time you guys did play against that Johnson team.

I mean, obviously they're nanny.

I school.

So it's tough to really judge in the post.

But you're shooter started making some more shots.

It look like the offense really found its legs on that New Year's Eve game.

What can you take that as a positive.

Here's a hope to plate soon and get that office back in.

Well, as important.

We got that game after having the.

>> Holiday break.

We want to kind of get, you know, get our games legs back and get back out there.

It's not proving to be quite as important because we know we have another gap under, but it proved to be a it was a good effort by our guys.

We got out there, we were able to play a lot of guys.

You know, we saw some guys come in there and really hit some shots.

And there's nothing there's no substitute for seeing that ball go through the basket.

So hopefully you know it the added confidence that you come take away from something like that will carry over it.

Once we get back of floor, he went 1, 1, over the break.

But one thing that I did notice constant was the effort in the transition game.

It seems like you guys are trying to push the pace a little bit more is that that a concerted effort on your guys and is that a coaching point is that in this kind of happened naturally.

Well, I think that's just the way the game is played now.

You know, there's I don't have a stat for it, but kind of the under 5 seconds scores.

When you get a a fast break opportunity.

You push it down and you get your floor space.

Well, and you get a high percentage shot.

You got to take those.

It's hard to get a lot of it really revolves around how well you play on the defensive end, if you can get some steals, you get some long rebounds.

Boy, those are back breakers.

When you get those quick score.

So we work a lot on it again.

Summit comes back to our defense.

But yeah, those are those are the plays that we've been the best at.

So we'll try to get more of them.

>> Almost a month ago.

Now to talk about that Southern Indiana game.

But obviously a tough luck loss 5 point was closed the entire way through just a battle with a really good team in the region.

You guys want to go into an one against in region opponent for and one against division.

2 opponents not in the glee actress years you could set yourself up pretty nicely in the non-conference slate to that.

If you got a pretty good here coming into 2020 to the guys did a nice job.

The non-conference yourself up down the road.

>> Well, hopefully we did play a very difficult schedule.

So we challenged ourselves a Southern Indiana game.

You know, kind of got away from us a little bit.

We didn't play know.

Well, we had a lot of unforced mistakes it again, right respect.

They have played Saturday before the Monday game.

We have come off exams.

We've had a long break.

Maybe want quite, you know, up to game ready yet, but still, we battled hard.

They're good team.

We came up a little short, but we certainly learned a lot from that.

>> That's good.

You take those lessons.

And we're hoping to talk about games are going to happen as quick as we suppose have 3 now it's down to 2 with this Davenport game getting postponed, a big one coming up on Thursday night at home against their state that are really good Lake state team coming to town on Saturday for kids day tells we can expect this big matchup on Thursday night and will maybe previous Saturday will.

But as well.

>> Well, you now this time we hear the cake.

Seems like a monster game for us and certainly fair says had an outstanding program over the years.

It's always a big rival game for us.

And this year is no exception.

They've got an outstanding array of shooters won't coasters one of the best players in the conference.

So, you know, will have to be the best.

They will try story out.

Try to play up a fast pace.

You know, we've got to make good decisions in the open floor.

>> And again, we've got to continue to shoot the ball as well as we didn't last game.

We follow that up with a new top on Lake Superior state there.

They really execute their offense.

Well, they're tough competitive group.

You know, the leak Adams is one of the top perimeter players in the conference and as will see all throughout this caught the conference season.

Everybody has veteran guys back.

So there's there's very few surprises you kind of know what you're getting into it.

Just a matter.

What can you do anything about it.

>> Just so happens at these 2 teams haven't been to Grand Valley State in 2 years now because the way the schedule broken out.

So 2 really good teams come to town.

We encourage you to get your tickets early.

GSU tickets.

Dot com.

Go online.

Get those tickets come out support the Lakers this week to really big games coach.

Hopefully we get back to basketball here in 2020, best of luck this week.

And thanks for your help.

We get a big crowd out there.

It is fun to get the students back in the in the field House.

Absolutely.

Look for some great games.

Don't go away.

We'll be right back with more than duct tape or support right here on wdvm [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] this fall with special atvs us all 5 teams in their championship seasons reach the nca tournament volleyball earned a spot for the first time since 2000, 15 football won a home playoff game and reached the Sweet 16 women's cross country finished second as a team.

We'll have a better one individual title.

The men's cross country team won it all for the second time in program history, including an individual title for Isaac Harding GSU soccer look to close the historic ball with a record.

7th national championship.

Here's a look at their final 4 run.

>> For the second straight season and division to record.

7th time.

Overall.

The Grand Valley State women soccer team are 2021 national champions after a golden ball winner in a thrilling double overtime championship match on Saturday.

December 11th in Colorado Springs, Colorado after claiming a 12th straight Midwest Regional title and outlasting central Missouri, 1, 0, and national quarter.

Final.

>> The Lakers made their way out to Colorado Springs over the weekend for the Final 4.

They were chosen as the top seed in a rematch with the Cinderella story of the tournament.

Lenoir Rhyne, who was a 7 seed in their region and advanced 3 times on penalty kicks to reach their first ever Final 4 in the semi-final the Lakers wasted no time jumping in front scoring in the 4th minute to set the tone.

Katie Barron made a great run down the right wing carrying possession towards the end line before angling the ball back to the middle of the box where Kennedy beard and was able to one time off the crossbar in in the parent appeared in connection with book in the weekend.

The Lakers and a few more chances in the 1st half but wouldn't capitalize until the 43rd minute when Sarah Smolinski was able to wedge in from the right wing and roll a ball to the near post from a can a school meant to play past the keeper and doubled the advantage for school.

And it was a Cinderella moment of her own scoring her first goal of the season 9 months after what could have been a career ending leg injury with a half hour to play.

Cecilia Stein wash removed all doubt with an absolute ringer off the inside of the far post mckenzie Jones plater into a good position just outside the box and Stein washer was able to angle it back across to beat the keeper.

Kendall Robertson made a pair of saves in the complete game shutout between the pipes.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> The winner and the Lakers and 11th trip to the national championship where a familiar foe awaited the Saint Rose Golden Knights the team the Lakers beat 3 to 2 a semifinal in 2000, 19 sought revenge.

The Lakers have faced tonight's 5 times before this season.

All in the final 4 with a record of 2, 1, 1, that one loss coming.

Exactly a decade ago.

And the 2011 national championship.

>> Grand Valley would head in the final possible day of play for the 4th straight season and would make it 8 straight seasons of either playing in a national championship were having their season ended by the team would eventually become the champions for nearly a decade.

The national championship has one through Grand Valley State.

It was a dream start for the Lakers as beard and drilled a banger into the top shelf within the first 5 minutes for the second straight game Lakers with Carey that lead into half in a back and forth affair that saw both teams with double digit shots and 3 corner kicks in the 1st half.

Kendall Robertson made 3 of her 4 saves in the 1st half to keep the Golden Knights off the score sheet.

Saint Rose would equalize around the hour.

Mark a foul deep in the Laker defensive.

3rd set up a good insert on a set piece.

And despite a couple of deflections by the Lakers, the ball Squibb into the net to tie things up.

>> Grand Valley state regain the lead in the 73rd minute when a corner kicks it up a scramble in front of goal and the ball fell to Cecilia Stein watchers.

The she was able to Bali a chip over the keeper into the far side netting and put the Lakers back in front.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] That lead was shortlived, however, is just 5 minutes later, Saint Rose capitalized on their own corner to level the match once again.

>> Saint Rose had a chance to take the lead with just 8 minutes left on a breakaway off a Laker turnover.

But the true freshman Robertson came off her line and got to the ball before a shot to keep things level.

The Lakers then had a flurry of chances at the end of the 2nd half the time ran out to send the championship match in the Golden goal over time.

Again, the Lakers apply plenty of pressure in the first overtime, including a chance that had to go to VA are determined to cross the line.

But the ref to terminate did not fully clear the line but just 20 seconds into the second overtime.

Barron carried possession to the N line and angled the ball back to be aired in for her second of the day and trigger the celebration.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> And I would like to thank everyone who made this championship possible.

The committee, the city of Colorado Springs, everyone who but they're higher balance Yang hours into making an environment like this for these women to compete at the highest level.

So we thank them for that.

We tip our hats to Saint Rose.

They paid a phenomenal game that is fantastic soccer match.

I'm just extremely proud of.

I women for handling anything that came up during this game to get the result.

>> We face a lot of adversity coming into this.

I mean, you know, her head coach is going to be 2 weeks for pre season started.

So I say I'm really proud of these girls and really proud of our 5th year seniors as we stepped up big time to take on a bigger leadership role and I'm really proud of the younger players are stepping up in executing everything that they needed to this whole season.

This is a really, really special group and we stuck together through absolutely everything that was thrown at us and we lead this team.

I'm so proud of this group and we could not imagine a better way to go out.

So super proud of that.

>> I think his head and had we ask our players.

You do their job.

And we had a lot of great performances.

It was a moment where cannon needed to do her job, that she timed it perfectly shooting come out too early that the touch got herself big and obviously big time save for us and Canada as well as our whole goal.

Keeping crew of really supported each other too help each other get better.

And I know we're all proud of kind of a specially I go keeping core at the way they train day in and day out for to make that save is indicative of their training habits and the leather they expect out of themselves in our meeting last night Nettie coach Eddie had said that we will be remembered and we will be remembered as 2021 national champions.

>> And that's something that really stuck with me through the night ended to into today.

I think we'll all leave our own legacy and will be remembered in different ways, but we won't be far.

That's for sure.

>> Walking away is 2020 national champions.

I mean, that that's really special.

And to get back to back.

That's only part of our legacy.

There's so much more that we did.

There are 4 or 5.

Some of us 50 years ahead.

3 years here.

Like we did so much more than just win.

And I think the program, the standards expectations.

They're going to say because of the way that we held it this year when we face much as there's it.

>> Yeah.

I think when you start talking about the word legacy.

I'd be remiss to part of their legacy.

On top of all the great things that the 2 talked about is to bring me on board.

You know, they're they're one.

We got a pre season.

Don't know the head coaches, but 2 had the understanding to listen to some new ideas, but also help me.

I understand that the foundation that they have really created.

There's going to be things that last for years to come beyond just being on the field this year.

So, you know, for me personally, I was just very blessed to have an opportunity to have this group.

The are old leaders to help.

>> Me understand what Grande Valley's about.

And I'd like to think that we've Gannett a different way, but it's still a great way.

But all the credit really goes to all of the women of the team, the fifth-year seniors or upperclassman who really did set the tone for the younger ones.

2 understand and learn and grow throughout the years who we could be the best version of ourselves in December and no time earlier than that is really credit to the team.

>> The Lakers finished the season, 24 1, 2, while securing their second consecutive national championship and 7th title in program history, making them the most successful program in NC a a division.

2 women soccer history.

Well, the offseason will see some of the senior leadership depart tds.

You, including the United soccer coaches national player of the year in Stein washer.

The teachings of a truly special senior class and Jim Commons, proof of being able to carry on the winning tradition.

We should see the Lakers back in the national spotlight in 2000, 22 for the Grand Valley.

State sports report.

I'm Jake Levy.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> Each season.

Most college teams must find a way to bring on new student athlete to have them find the role to help the team win this season.

The GSU men's basketball team looks to do just that with a number of student athletes transferring from other universities to GPS you.

Tom Cleary has the story.

[MUSIC] >> And even before the pandemic college sports felt a seismic shift when athletes began to take advantage of room.

Its governing when and where they can play and gone forever.

And as with most its first require athletes to be at their new school for a year before resuming their careers and these days most changes of venue can be achieved with a wave of a pen Grande.

Valley's men's basketball team serves as a prime example.

Well, senior Jake Van tubergen began and will end his college days in Allendale.

Most of the rest of his teammates will not.

And coach says the current craze is be building a program to leave the different your continuity.

>> You know, the shared experiences that used to get in terms of building a program.

It's just different.

Everything happens at a much quicker rate.

>> And you're right here, OK, I loosened and not make it a read.

>> Well, Wesley knows the door swings both ways on transfers.

He admits he's a home run a few years back when he landed 3 excellent Division one players in one offseason Christian, right.

Well, I guess with remain as starters this year and occupy those lineup spots from day one thing the typical high school recruit seldom does a college team some ways it's easier because they're closer to be finished product.

But at same time they also come in was a little bit higher expectations versus a high school kid and just wants to fit in.

Well, they want to come in.

They want plane and it's that desire to play either more or for a better team are at a higher level drives the transfer market this year.

Grande Valley is adding more transfers including former later followed.

You keidi and Lewis.

I played previously prickly act rival northwood University and Max farthing was a walk-on at Division one North Carolina State.

>> I never look at it.

Ask our this is a back seat mean.

Obviously the learning curve for me as well.

Every play basketball always look at is learning curve because you learn something every year and I'm super glad to see us came back and I get to play with.

>> So future pros.

I was looking to only mild school.

I was a walk on there.

I felt like I was good enough to play for scholarship.

So entered the world of the schools.

Early state getting an opportunity to play with the scholarship.

I thought it would be good to come here.

Get a great education.

>> Let's not get super over b#*#*#*#*#* start well, most everyone seems to agree student athlete should have maximum flexibility on how they use their college eligibility now famous transfer portal means recruiting for if Wesley and his staff never takes a break team rosters for all sports now churned through personnel rapidly, which is why Wesley cautions all athletes to remember the grass isn't always greener somewhere else.

>> I'm not careful.

You're never happy.

You know, guys that go do 3 think they need to be 2 d 2 guys that need to be one.

The one guys think they need to go in the nba's sooner than they they they should.

>> Heading into the conference season.

The Lakers and many of their rivals.

No short handed some part of the year due to positive covid tests.

And while the pandemic will alter rosters for a time this winter and spring the world and transfer fever and do the same.

As soon as this campaign is completed.

The Grand Valley.

State sports report.

I'm topped.

[MUSIC] >> That's all the time we have this week on the Grand Valley State for support GSU women's basketball is taking on Davenport.

The devious you could House.

We know right now is the show airs both the men's and women's teams will take on rival Ferris state on Thursday.

January 13th the women tip off at 06:00PM held by the man at 08:00PM both teams then take on Lake Superior state for kids day on Saturday.

January 15th will tip off at 01:00PM followed by the men at 03:00PM.

You swimming and diving will head over to hope college on Friday, January 14th at 06:00PM for adore me GSU track and field to host the Bob Eubanks open at the Kelly family sports Center on Saturday.

January 15th at 01:00PM for upcoming games as well as live broadcast of every Laker athletic program, visit GSU Lakers, dot com for more of this show it to our youtube channel at youtube.

Dot com slash WGVU 35.

Make sure you hit the subscribe button to get updated video highlights all year long for the entire crew here WGVU.

I'm Jake.

We have a great week like a nation.

And as always, accurate.

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