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

I'm your host Jake Lee D this week.

We highlight the GSU women's soccer team as they make it to the N C a a Final 4.

Again this season due women's basketball split their first weekend ugly act basketball.

You men's basketball and also the 1, 1, over the weekend.

GSU volleyball fell in the opening round of the playoffs and pulled back a great year for the Laker team.

Our feature this week highlights new stand out on the GSU women's soccer team rocket in Laker nation is the Grand Valley.

State sports report starts right now.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] The GSU women's soccer team is back in the N C a Final 4 as they found 2 wins this weekend.

First that took down Saginaw Valley on Friday afternoon and then they would follow that up with a one nil win against central Missouri on Sunday in the N C a a quarter finals.

The team heads to Colorado Springs this week to take on the new ride at 01:00PM on Thursday.

Now to talk about the team's head coach Jim common coach first year at the helm, a Grand Valley State back to the Final 4.

Congratulations.

How you feel.

>> I feel great.

Thanks for the graduations just really excited for the women of the program.

Everyone across the country in world and deal with covid for over a year.

You know, got that conference tournament last spring.

And then the coaching change over the summer.

So I'm just thrilled for these women to, you know, lock in and make sure that they accomplished to their potential.

And so far we've done that.

But we're not done.

>> Great to see the defense really stepped up this weekend as well.

Saginaw Valley is a very good offensive team of they have strong.

He's got 14 goals this year.

She's been phenomenal her freshman year.

He has found a way to keep them basically without a real shot on goal throughout that entire match what was working so well for your defense in the second time to face second all this year.

>> Yes, that has really count a team.

And I thought our defense starting with the backline.

But really the whole team defense did a nice job of making the play predictable pushing balls in the zones that we're looking forward to overloading defensively to keep some counted goalscorers farther away from the net and out of their comfort zones.

I just really pleased with the entire teamed events and the backline organization in particular.

>> Yeah.

The way that your midfield to put a really good in the midfield as well.

It seems like you're pushing them to one side.

Incest was there to kind of clean things up.

And then of course broken.

Abby have been playing really, really well at the center back as well.

All 3 of them played all 180 minute effort is this week.

I know that's kind of typical for this time of year.

If you're holding mid-year 2 center backs to play that way.

But see those 3 playing as well as they are that have to be a key reason for success, right.

>> Yeah.

I think, you know, this time of year you want to put the right people on the field it by now.

We kind of understand who's going into certain spots and certain rotations.

But Abby and Brooke, it done quite a bit on that back line.

I know it looks like there is 2 center backs, but we asked them to do different stuff.

Each game.

They really responded and then sets in the midfield is an extension of that back line.

And we've asked her to push up the field, maybe set the wedge a little earlier than the cleanup as the holding, but she's been doing both really well, which has helped our team quite a bit.

And then in the pieces around them, you know, the outside backs getting into support positions.

The other central midfielders squeezing the play to get those balls into positions where those 3 when the you mentioned are winning them off.

>> I really like the depth of this team is starting to show, particularly at the outside back position, the kind of school minutes.

Sarah Smolinski coming off the bench of really done a nice job of bolstering what you can do with those outside backs and allow me and Alexa to pull push a little higher and really not about exhausting them because of so many pieces.

They can come in a kind of make up for that.

>> Yeah.

Backline has tremendous depth right now we're very excited about what what is happening on that back line and it has allowed us to open things up a little bit too play that depth and kind of stay on the front foot defensively cover the backside offensive to push another number forward.

So we're just excited to see that continue to grow this week as well as we go into Colorado Springs.

You.

>> The second about to win the region which is always cool.

But you want a trophy.

It's kind of weird thing.

You win the trophy on Friday at to come back and play really important matchup Sunday against the very talented central Missouri team.

They're young, but Lewis has been there for 15 years.

Their experience in these types of games.

You knew this was going to be crazy.

One you throw in the weather that you had now know what a cluster that was for a while to get that early goal seem to be huge, obviously hold on to the one.

Nothing.

>> Yeah.

I mean, the central Missouri Grand Valley State is not a new combination and potent.

And I think you're looking at 2 quality sides that, you know, play good soccer and like you said, we can't control when they head out a trophy.

But we do know that we hope to get 2 games in a weekend.

And so once we got the trophy, we are proud.

We're excited that celebrated.

But we had earned the opportunity to finish the weekend with the second game and central Missouri came out expected, you know, very tactically aware pressed at certain moments.

That is as please we get that front foot score.

That first one early that we had chances to score a couple more that they had a couple chances score.

A couple more.

But please with a one nothing win.

>> Then the very end of the game to start with the goal.

That wind is at their back in the 2nd half.

The foul occurs just outside the 18 with time winding down the freshman goalkeeper.

I was at practice all week.

We're working on setting walls and working on the set piece defensive and sure enough, it comes true that the season basically comes down to a set piece defensive play for Kendall to make the save set the wall put herself in a good position that still so rewarding for you.

So happy for that pressure to make a play.

Yeah.

>> I'm happy the team was organize where they needed to be.

You know, we always talk about trust our preparation.

If we can make sure we've got all situations prepared for even though we don't know what we're going to use.

But that one workout and Kendall and our entire goal.

Keeping core have been fantastic in practice pushing each other to be the best each other can be for each other and we're able to, you know, put Kendall and that net into a situation where she felt comfortable on head of the Saban.

We got the win.

>> So you go from a team you're super familiar with in the postseason in central Missouri to a team the Grand Valley has never faced before in any situation and lenoir Rhyne this week in the N C a a semifinal.

They've had 3 advances on pks in this tournament already.

So they are used to playing tight games.

They've handled the pressure.

Well, can we expect this weekend with tell your message to the team going to the Senate.

>> Yeah, we've obviously got a lot of work to do in preparation coming out of the yesterday's result to get ready for Thursday.

But yeah, anytime someone goes into 3 p case in advance is, you know, they're ready for any facet of the game and whether it's an offensive game, a defensive game.

They're ready to battle.

So we expect a great match on Thursday and we're obviously going to take the next 3 days to prepare and make sure we're at our best.

>> We also got to fly out to Colorado excited to join the out there.

Coach.

Congratulations on a fantastic year so far.

Let's go to Colorado Springs and deeper on that.

I will track.

Next up, Tom clear highlight some of the standouts on this year's women's soccer team's the Grand Valley State sport report continues here on wdvm.

>> And it was an emotional bombshell that hit the soccer program in mid-june with Jeff hossler left to become the head coach at Michigan State where he eventually be joined by Grande Valley.

All America forward, even Cook.

But shortly after new coach Jim Connor, I became clear Kennedy Beard would be his choice to lead the Laker line.

Something she's done with distinction in addition to being a double figure goal scored 2000.

21 Kennedy has become an expert at stretching defenses and pressuring defenders in order to create opportunities for others.

She.

>> Continues to be hungry continues to ask a lot of questions.

We've asked a lot of different things out of her this year and she continues to raise her own personal bar do what it takes to be successful for her team.

And what we're asking of him with the new players coming in coach.

You never know what you're going to get.

But I think that we've done a great job like kind of Albany together and getting used to.

And I think it's been good for our team.

Just say, you know, some new things and new players.

And they've been great.

So it's been a great addition to our team.

>> As feared and adopted quickly to her new role as a target forward.

Cullen is also got steady performances from 2 veterans notable for their ability and maturity and a canvas Kuhlman and midfielder many banks in a sense.

Both are unlikely and unsung heroes this fall school and suffered a initially career ending leg injury last spring and next was a graduate transfer from East Carolina who's moved to Grand Valley was sanctioned by the old coach that the current.

>> A second goal for Mattie.

We've got a great group of women on this team.

And I think when you get into coaching change and hope and opportunity for everyone to have a fresh start.

We've had some very good players be the mainstay.

They have been at that Grand Valley fans have become accustomed to and then we've had some that have stepped on.

>> Every year on the team's important like everyone has a shot at practice here making the person and better in front of the better so that your role that you always have to accept it.

I think if you don't like the role that you need to work harder than the first front of you.

And I think that everyone's been doing that and it's been great.

And you got my leadership would be a huge thing to help this team.

You know, we got a lot of young kids.

So just keep pushing to practice in if my time came, it came with that.

And I just knew that like I want to be a part of this last year being a leader and I made my time to come such an awesome.

>> Look at a school in was one of only 4 Lakers played all one 107 minutes and Ali's national championship game win in 2019 and we'll put away her boots after this year as she prepares for a summer wedding.

In 2000.

22 the next will be an Alan Diehl is a student only then and she pursues a graduate degree in occupational therapy.

But both will share the memories and the regular season in their final year of soccer when they joined forces with Kennedy burden.

>> And large cast of contributors to make a huge splash.

Jim Commons for season in West Michigan in the early states.

Sports report I'm Tom Cleary.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> GSU women's basketball split their opening weekend ugly act play as they felt sdsu on Thursday before righting the ship and grabbing a win against Wayne state on Saturday.

Join us now to talk about the team's head coach Mike Williams and coach like we said, you can reset.

This record is 0, 0, starkly act play this week.

Welcome inside.

It was a good experience team.

Then take on Wednesday on your home floor, kind of tale of 2 different games this week.

>> You know, was any and say let's good team, no question.

But so is Wayne.

You know, I thought I think we played poorly in saying I thought we you know, we miss shots.

We can heard some shots both around the rim and from the three-point line.

And, you know, just some rather than going and then obviously Saturday a better showing.

>> It it that second of all, again, you can just see the difference.

The Caymans or Ricky makes.

And we know she's a really good players.

You got freshman year.

Couple years ago for Saginaw Valley.

She can.

If you can do a bunch of different things.

I thought a couple of players in a nice job slowing her up.

But she played 40 minutes scored 25 points.

Just find a way to wear you down.

It seems like.

>> You know, she's a three-level scorer.

She's on point all the time.

You've got to be high alert with their, you know, you relax and her one 2nd show back.

Kutcher comes up.

A ball screen gets the ball in transition know she's going to pull through your face things which wasn't making those then suspend that ball screen.

But >> yes, you get to the rim.

She just she that she is a three-level scorer in jet quick.

So she's she's a handful to say the least.

They got a couple of guards are handful.

You talk about that in Maloney Maddie Barry, they've got really good guards really did limit that new tonight.

John Malone is one of the best 3 point shooters in the conference was for 6 from 3 in that game is the only score 45 points.

Obviously there's a lot to be this point.

And there but defensively to be pretty happy the way or team playing its a good offensive.

Second OT.

>> Well, I thought we were you know, I thought we did a great job being in position.

The right position.

I thought we you know, we held the ball screens pretty well.

Their hand off action pretty well.

You know, we didn't get going in transition.

We kept mark the offensive glass.

I'm really you know, I I thought we kept the shots.

You know, we had we want a palace on the shot.

So we did a pretty good job when they get some clean looks.

They were hurried.

But you know, killings are keys is kind of separate in that game and, you know, hats off to our players.

I thought we did a good job.

I think our players are excited to get a chance of a crack at them again.

But it was a good first conference game against a really good opponent.

And again, we've been playing poorly.

Just say it wasn't their good team.

>> Then you turn around on Saturday.

Boyd the offense really come to play.

Start out 24 to 9 after the 1st quarter really didn't feel that close to be honest with a different offensive.

Lee how you guys are parting shots and that obviously good shots going is different.

It's not going in.

But there's reason behind it.

>> I think I think the shots were better on Saturday thought we were more lax.

Offensively thought eyes were up to a better job.

You know, seeing the floor making decisions thought of spacing was a little better.

We're going to transition, you know, quite a degree job.

I thought pressing the blow up a little bit in transition.

Emily and Hannah got some rebound.

Breakouts got going in transition.

So I think that helps as well.

You know, kind of it spreads them out.

Gives us more to ease your opportunity to score and then, you know, once you make some baskets.

I thought the three-point shots that we got when rhythm there was settled in and they went in.

>> Awfully efficient from the floor as well as shot 62% from the field in the 1st quarter.

You want to about 50% for the game that led us to.

This is one of her better games in terms of attacking the basket and 2 is more things offensive, Leon.

>> You know, she did.

She got down deep a couple times more.

A couple times I thought did a good job being balanced and in control that's going on that rim that she can score to left or right hand.

She hit a pull-up jump shot.

You know, in such a good job, too.

But you got down in that you have and she found somebody.

And so for her and she has a score.

She's a person that could be a three-level scorer.

She just doesn't quite have that mentality yet of want to risk all the time.

>> All right.

Now you go on the road for the first time in glee at play this week.

Go to our West.

And then Parkside was a message to the team going against a special that parts at another thing that can really score it.

>> Well, you look again on the road.

So but we've been on the road.

So it should be a great adjustment.

But for the West as a team that can really score in transition.

They have they put points on the board when the top teams in the country getting out on the breaking dawn.

We've got to slow them down a bit to really good guards back into our breath could really put points on the board both from the from the arakan in getting the rim and they go to Parkside.

You know, you talk about face and cirriculum the best scores in the conference.

Nelson is right there with her.

A senior senior laden team senior guard.

You're at their place last year on the road was split at Parkside.

So again, to really good test to test.

And I think our players are starting to embrace these tests instead of like being hesitant about them, which I think is good and others going help us as we move down the road in conference play.

>> Well, 1, 1, to starkly act play.

2 more glee at games before the holiday break the best of luck this week.

Coach.

Thanks so much for talking with us.

And Jake, thank you.

We'll be right back with more of the Grand Valley State sport report continues on wdvm [MUSIC] [MUSIC] GSU men's basketball went 1, 1, over the weekend following the Saginaw Valley on Thursday before finding their way back into the win COLUMN against Wayne state on Saturday to us now to talk about the team's head coach Rick Wesley and coaching job actively act playing right out of the gates to take a really experienced talented Saginaw Valley team a back and forth game.

You guys had the lead late in that 2nd half.

They just stormed back.

It seem like they couldn't miss down the stretch.

So a tough way to start.

We act like a nice job to bounce back against Wednesday to give us your overall thoughts on this.

But on opening weekend.

>> Well Thursday, it was tough night for us.

You know, we really did some good things got got the game where we want it had the game under control in the 2nd half and then just didn't play very well with the lead as we've talked before, teams to get down.

They come roaring back and maybe made some tremendous shots.

But we we had so many careless unforced errors.

You know, we had 10 2nd call.

We have filed a traveling violation and out of bounds play.

And we had some really strange things happen.

That certainly didn't help and really added to their comeback.

So, you know, that was disappointing, but we regrouped and came back on Saturday.

And you know, typical when state dog fight of a game and had just enough to survive.

>> When you look at that Saginaw Valley game.

Obviously the very veteran team.

But it's still it's been a while since you played in these types of environments, right with the crowd with the pressure that comes with all the things involved with that.

>> So to have this those experiences.

Could this be a good thing going forward are going to learn.

Okay.

When teams start making shots and things start going against when you have the lead you've got to kind of settle down and play your game.

Well, time will tell if it's a good thing or not.

You know, really learn lessons in victories and losses.

But, you know, I think our St. Louis game down floated similar situation.

We had a good lead.

The 2nd half and didn't play as well.

So which we look to learn.

There are less and there.

But but, you know, it's as we go through those things and certainly fresh on your mind.

I thought we came back Saturday late in the game now the players but coaches as well.

You know, we did do a few things better put it put players in a little bit different position called a few more organize set to keep us kind of calm as we're coming down the stretch.

So, you know, the it's a long season.

Every one of these games is going to be tight.

>> And the team that executes the best ones going.

Come on top.

We talked about it after the game on Saturday cold.

But they have the tough loss on Thursday night to be down.

10 to Wayne state, the defending glee at Tempe and at half at home on Saturday to see your team respond the way they did in that 2nd half and just never give up.

Fight back to get a win I know is a veteran team.

You know, this is a good group of guys are going to keep fighting.

But that just seems like a very signature win early on in the season.

>> Well, you know, it's just you time will tell.

You know, we say won the league last year.

They've got some really good guard J Ray Lewis, one of top front-line players.

So, you know, you just got to come out there and battle you not.

I don't think we overreact to were down 10 and that same token we shouldn't.

You know, think the games are were up to news.

Got to play right to the buzzer in and we've been through it before.

These teams are good teams, tremendous parity throughout early great individual players who when they're down can make great shots and great plays in a bunch.

And if in a hurry.

So you've got to keep playing.

You can't you've got to keep your focus right to the very end.

>> You go on the road for the first time in glee act play this week on the road project with West Thursday night.

That around.

Go to Parkside in Kenosha on Saturday.

What can we expect from those 2 teams us.

A couple of things.

We didn't see pretty Northwest last year.

And the part that we had a couple games are point guards really scored yet.

Well, you know.

>> First road test for us in league Purdue Northwest had a good performance.

They lost but did play well at Lake state on Saturday but not for years frills their big.

I feel like he's been there, you know, forever, you know, Boyles a guard and they have some very good players.

They play a lot of guys they have.

It was just at home.

They have a lot of enthusiasm.

You know, he's a great respect for the coaching staff because our guys really are charged up and fired up.

Every time we come down and play.

So just knowing purse now is always a little bit more of a challenge with them and then Park size.

Always one of the, you know, tough teams in the league.

Trey Croft is back.

Who set out was out last year who 2 years ago single handily beat us here.

Tremendous scorer has individual talent.

They run a very motion like offense.

They they won at Lake state which by a lot which really caught everybody's attention.

So it will it will be a dog fight.

It will be a dogfight.

I don't expect anything but that.

But, you know, we're healthy, you know, getting the end, the semester academics a little bit of a challenge right now.

But we'll get the guys focused and hopefully we'll get a couple good >> efforts and the road to finals week is on the horizon holiday season as well.

But more glee at games in the 2021 calendar.

Your best of luck on the road this week.

Coach, thanks for talked.

I thank you.

We're back with more of the Grand Valley State sport report continues on wdvm [MUSIC] [MUSIC] the Laker volleyball team fell in the first round of the N C a a tournament this weekend.

That being said in his first year as head coach Jason Johnson, squat and press to say the least, making the nca tournament for the first time since 2015, there's now talk about the team's head coach Jason Johnson and coach.

Congratulations on a fantastic year.

Obviously would love to make a little bit deeper run into the postseason.

But your first year head coach to take over.

So tight to the start of the season.

We reflect now looking back on it to make the nca tournament for the first time since 2015 with the season mean to you.

>> You know, obviously it's a great accomplishment.

You know, first time in 6 years to be able to get the team back into the NCAA tournament.

I said a few weeks ago when we saw our name appear on the TV during the selection show.

It probably give me a little bit different.

You know, I think having the experience I have with this program and what we've done over the last 20 years in the success of this program has had you get a little you take for granted what it takes to get there.

And so I think that really hit home this year with just a how difficult it is to get a team in there and then be successful.

Once you're there.

And I think ultimately the difference in the match against Hillsdale was just an experienced team versus an inexperienced team.

>> Hillsdale winds up winning the entire regional beating 3 glee act teams along the way.

By the way.

Tell us about that match.

It seem like was really tight first set.

Then things kind of got away from the little bit as the match progressed.

Yeah, we talk a little bit throughout the first set that it was about finding a flow.

It's about finding a little comfort zone within what you're doing.

>> We felt that we had a little anxiety.

And you know, we were pressing a little bit.

We're trying to find our niche and how we're going to go after the game.

I think Hillsdale creates problems for you with the offense.

They run to the type of defense they run.

I think they're very comfortable with what they do.

Unfortunately we came up short in the first set.

But I think losing that first set kind of put us our backs against the wall of a sudden it was like, okay, are we are we going to be able to overcome this.

What does this look like?

You know, you get off to a tough start.

So, yeah, unfortunately, I think Hillsdale just put a lot of pressure on us that we didn't handle well, Bob, but again, I I felt like we were in a good place going in through the weekend through the practices just didn't perform.

>> When you look at this offseason, get what you say about the little things that are some of the things you can do in the offseason to kind of get ahead of that.

Now you have a full season as a head coach in the offseason as head coach the ready for next year.

>> Yeah, I think that's the big thing is now we we have a good 8 months to kind of prepare.

You know, the big thing right now for us is sitting down and talking about what it is we need to do.

You know, I think ball-control is going to be a huge priority.

We graduate to seniors that were 6 rotation outsides that pass and everything for us.

And now who's going to step into that role and who's going to excel in that role.

I think from there, then it's about just creating that competitive environment.

You know, we both on the court and off of it.

I'm working with our strength coach to build a better Foundation.

I think one of the things we were lacking this year was just a great strength.

Base Foundation.

Now, again, everybody navigated the season the same way we did.

We had a season last spring.

We have the summer and then the fall.

But I think one of the things that stood out to me is just we started the physicality of our play started deteriorating a little bit earlier than what I'd like to see.

And part of that just comes down to.

>> Putting a better Foundation together.

It certainly was a long year.

Obviously playing.

That's breaks.

You have to turn around real quick.

But I want to go back to those seniors with her to run out of time here Monday to talk about Alan abbi, what they need to you in this program and for them to get back to the mountain top to get back to a tournament and get this program back to where it should be has to be an awesome way for them to go out.

You know, obviously they would love to win a couple more games.

>> Yeah, you know, it's I don't think we have enough time to talk about how proud I am of the 2 of them.

I think what they navigated being for your starters in this program, the injuries, the lack of success early being as young as we were, especially as freshman and sophomores having to play with other freshmen sophomores early on to build this program back up.

So being a part of it with coach Scanlon and then obviously by myself this year it's their special kids.

You know, their kids that I hope will continue to stay around the program, be invested in the program eyewall.

I'm excited to see them move on at this point.

But I also and lamenting that what they won't be with us any longer.

>> Well, they definitely have a great way to go out and saw some for them to get that experience in the nca turn as well to ensure that left a great Foundation for you in your first year as a head coach.

A lot of big things ahead for looking for you just getting started.

Your tenure as head coach at Grand Valley state.

Congratulations on a great first year.

Thanks for joining us all season long.

Thanks.

Appreciate it.

Don't go a day without a sports bar continues right after this.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] That's all the time we have this week on the Grand Valley State sports report.

>> GSU women soccer will take on the norm Ryan on Thursday in the N C a a semifinals.

The broadcast to be found that nca dot com and kickoff is scheduled for 01:00PM Eastern time.

You men's and women's basketball hit the road this week.

They'll take on Purdue Northwest this Thursday tipoff for the women's game is scheduled for 06:00PM called by the man at 08:00PM that make their way over to Kenosha for a matchup against Parkside on Saturday.

Tipoff for those games are scheduled for 02:00PM and 04:00PM respectively for upcoming games as well as live broadcast of every Laker athletic program, visit GSU Lakers, dot com.

This is our last show before the new year.

But as always, we'll keep you updated on action around the bsu on our youtube channel at youtube.

Dot com slash wdvm 35.

Make sure you hit the subscribe button to get updated video highlights all year long.

We'll return to continue to winter sports season on Monday, January 10 until then for the entire crew here at WGVU.

I'm Jake.

We will see you in January Laker nation.

And as always, thank you out.

[MUSIC] >> Water it off the crossbar second shot back in the game.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC]