>> Welcome back to an all new season of the Grand Valley State sports report right here in WGVU.

I'm your host deployed jolt Laker football grab 2 wins against Colorado schools to start their season on the right foot TV issue men's golf Tacoma Q a word that their own aaronson Invitational over Labor Day weekend Laker volleyball split their opening weekend of conference play to sit at 73 so far this year.

We'll update you on the cross country team as they competed in the night invited Calvin University GSU women soccer battled and some tough road games this week as the kickoff glee act late Lockett in Laker nation as the Grand Valley.

State sports report starts right now.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> Previous you.

Football is found their way to put a mark in the win COLUMN and both of their first 2 games of the regular season beating Colorado, School of mines at home in week one and Colorado state Pueblo on the road in week 2.

Joining us now to talk about those games and family day next week as head coach Matt Mitchell.

It's good to see you.

Appreciate you all.

So a great start here to the first couple of weeks.

You guys arguably the top of the arm act for sure through what you've done but really nice ones.

>> Yeah.

Appreciated.

You know, it's tough schedule.

We knew that kind of coming into the season that we had to get off to a great start.

You know, we take a look.

Our School of mines are opener was a national semifinalist and they returned everyone from their team that really made that run deep in the postseason play and then we too.

No, no small task going to the state of Colorado flying out there and play in a school caused a public that won their opener 5627.

So new that we're talking about a team that made the semi final week.

One and another team that won a national championship in 2014 that was going to be a tough start, but really glad to be to an l. I really think that, you know, the big thing is improvement from week one to week 2.

Yeah.

You know, we won that first one.

It was kind of a nail-biter at the end.

But I thought we really improved his football team heading into week 2.

>> Yeah.

Certainly hope.

You know, the season goes by where the playoff resume, these winds can help you as you go.

Pueblo teams will get in the highlights of that in a bit.

They are a team, as you said, great history with with what they've done big physical team.

You knew they were going to be a stiff test.

But you know, watching that as I did from the radio booth.

>> Domination.

Both sides of the line of scrimmage completely greatest Arthur offensive line.

I think offensive line played outstanding.

I think rushed for 380 yards combination different.

You know, people did that, including some quarterbacks and some run game, too.

And so, you know, coming out of week one, we knew that one to be a little bit more effective on first and second down.

And we definitely were that we found ourselves and less 3rd downs and less 3rd longs, you know, on Saturday night.

I think that was key.

And we really did a great job handling their front.

It's good to get to Rick Reed going hit almost a 150 yards.

Rushing did not get as much in the first game as we try to put an emphasis to make sure he got off to a good start.

So definitely, you know, I thought we played great line titans the backs, you know, especially on a night like there.

You're up in the booth.

That was just a slow drizzle.

What really and kind of one of those days.

It was really good ball security could have been an issue.

And so when you start the quarterbacks in exchange.

We didn't have any issues if at all did not turn the ball over on offense.

I thought our kids him of the weather extreme that well, the flip on the other side of all, as you referenced with the defensive line about, you know, the the front 7 is the strength of our team.

And I think that's been on display the first 2 weeks.

You know, we hit both quarterbacks a lot of the pass game on Saturday night with the quarterback 18 times.

Yeah, they have really been really disruptive with both our D line linebackers and you know, Saturday night in the previous night.

We really haven't got any rushing yards.

I think people are seeing our front caused a problem barely tempted to run the ball.

Besides a couple quarterback runs.

And, you know, I think there to see and that's going to really tough to kind of run the ball has consistently.

So the recruiting and development we've done a really good job up front and days like that where it's raining and it's not great weather that we have to lean a little bit ago and the line.

>> Yes.

And on the defensive side individually.

You said that front 7 really the force for you up front.

The secondary bounce-back look really good.

You know, noticed some guys in that secondary visor for Queen's second on the team in tackles in this game, even on a long pass to these bees right there with the coverage and how about her as read, what run support, you know, pass defense.

These guys stepped up.

>> You're on it.

You know, first week, give up couple exposed to place for touchdowns.

I thought we did a great job on Saturday with a combination of things.

First of all, their players play better in the back into the defense and then to, you know, with a good job mixing up the coverage is a confusing.

The quarterback would point his own son, man.

You know, so again, some of those tackles a result of, you know, us keep our state is little bit Dieter deeper.

They had to kind of check the ball down.

I thought we did a great job on some most check downs really around the football.

Not let a lot of short passes become a danceable and we only give up one pass over 16 yards the entire night and I was concerned about that really heading into the game gets her previous week that offer 500 yards and 5 touchdowns.

But the come out there with only one pass over 16 yards.

I think that was really a credit to the combination of everybody, coaches and players.

You know, stepping things up.

And so couple things week one that we knew the improved on certainly showed up 10 days later we to both our rush offense being more efficient for second out offensively.

As you mention of past events in the back.

>> Flipping to the other side.

Individually K Pietersen.

I thought the decision-making was really good there and shot a Walker.

>> Big plays for catches 97 yard continues to be a threat down the field.

I think that will really help us.

And I think that kind of help a little bit of the run game.

2 is him be able to take the top off the defense and he's really winning a lot of those 50 to 50 balls are thrown the air.

I thought Saturday too.

The flow of the game release Suu Kyi Peterson, you know, was not a lot of 3rd downs lot drop back to do a little bit more play action pass the RP owes Hughes and Kate in the run game or some quarterback reads where he would pull it based on the defender.

And really, you know, hit a lot of different areas in the run game.

And Kate really orchestrate a lot of that you don't take for granted.

Those little foot touch passes to the wide receivers to get out there.

A lot of different tracks.

And so I thought he played really well master.

The offense.

>> Briefly here.

Let's touch on next week.

Family day Lincoln.

We don't know a lot about them.

But boy family.

That's going to be fun.

>> Yes.

About crowded believe it's almost sold out.

So should have a great atmosphere.

Weather is looking good.

So far.

You have come back home.

Be back in Allendale.

And you know, after this two-game stretch looking for to get back out there.

As you mentioned, Lincoln is a start a program just, you know, in their second year playing football and you notice provides an opportunity for us to have a new opponent at lovers which always like to welcome to people in the lovers of kind of see the reaction to the home crowd get a feel for that.

But, you know, I think the biggest thing for us, the chance to improve the conference latest.

Coming up, our conference has got off to a strong start a nonconference games.

You take a look at some of the victories, lastly inside an office by state and there's been a top 15 ranked teams.

And so we're really put a stamp on glee at play.

We've got to continue to improve.

This is an opportunity that as we start to get in a quick play.

That's right.

Lincoln Saturday night.

7 o'clock to kick off their family that it's great to see a 2 and oh, thank you.

Thank you.

>> We'll be right back.

As the Grand Valley State sports report continues here in wtvq.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> September, 5th of the Bay of championships for the Grand Valley men's golf program as the team and individual student athlete drew Cole when the aaronson Invitational with Coble winning the individual title in dramatic fashion.

A couple came into the final day.

8 strokes behind the leader.

>> But he staged a furious comeback shooting a 65 -6.

>> The tie for the top spot and force a playoff both players parred the first playoff hole sending a match to a second winner take all.

And the second playoff hole.

Family put their second shot into the woods and had to take a drop, leaving the door wide open for Coble.

It took advantage by putting his second shot right next to the green and sank a short putt.

A few strokes later secured his first collegiate individual tournament title.

The team title had much less drama as the Lakers ran away with the win beating second place Finley by 28 strokes.

Now along with Kobe the Lakers had 2 other golfers who made the all-tournament team.

Nick crew placed 3rd finishing 300 the tournaments while Charles, the long finished tied for 4th at 3 over the Lakers are back in action in 2 weeks that the docks Bragg invitation when Finley Ohio.

The tournament is scheduled for Monday September 19th and Tuesday September.

28.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> TV issue volleyball is off to a strong start going 73 over their first 10 games.

Beginning.

Glee act play this week on the road in the U p the team would split the trip following the northern Michigan on Friday night before sweeping the Michigan Tech Huskies 3 to nothing Saturday in hotan.

Joining us now for his second year at the helm is head coach Jason Johnson and Jason be here.

A lot of great to have you.

And I as we said, the strong start 73 just some general thoughts.

You know, kind of how the year has started for you.

>> You know, overall very pleased with where we're at as a team in a program as of right now.

I talked earlier when we were discussing things with this team.

Is it for new starters from last year's roster.

And so some of it has been just some growing pains of them learning how to play together how to work together under pressure and how to find ways to win matches, especially against good teams.

>> Yeah, that's right.

Work through that experience.

Get those relationships going.

You're touching on that prior to the start of the year.

So you're in the U P kind of the short straw, right.

The road to the U P always fun northern Michigan.

Walk us through this a bit.

You lose it.

3 nothing which is never fun.

But you're very competitive in each of the games and then why was it that you weren't able to pull it out.

>> Yeah.

I think it's you look at the 3 loss and you think, OK, we're very competitive, but we were we've lost to the sets.

2523 we lead 2120, I believe in all 3 sets just couldn't find a way to close it out.

Now part of that is again, it's the maturity of the team learning how to finish shots and finished matches.

But the other part of it, we had a very difficult time defensively slowing their offense tell, you know, both outsides for Northern Michigan had great matches against us.

We couldn't find a way to slow them at the net which caused a lot of problems defensively for us.

Conversely transitions into our offense where we're scrambling to try to get some offensive opportunities against their offense and struggle to do so.

Individually.

Savannah Thompson gets a 10 kills in this match for us or white.

It's a Rachel jakway 20 assess.

And how about Jordan Geechee gets 15.

Yeah, it's been again, we're running a to center offense this year in Jordan being the first time in our program setting but also being an attacker for us.

You know, again, I think our offense has gotten better as the season has gone along.

I don't think it has been one of the things that we've struggled with even in matches.

We've lost right now.

It's the it's the defense.

It's the blocking its the back row play.

It's the communication and the relationships that are making us probably struggle a little bit more than what I want to be at this point.

Okay.

So things shift as you go for your planet, northern.

You go to Michigan Tech as well.

Look at that.

What do you talk about in order to get that to improve.

Is that a communication thing at the that is on the physical placements like X's and O's.

How do you get the blocking to where it was against Michigan pack were right.

You part of its a conversation about some of the adjustments we needed to make.

We also made a slight change in line up to where we started specifically and then look at the different matchups and figure out where we could exploits opportunities while we were playing against Michigan Tech.

You know, the other part of it, too, is Michigan.

Tech does not run as fast in that offense is what northern Michigan does.

So it doesn't put you under as much pressure as what northern Michigan.

Well, you're able to get the 3 victory here.

2520 to 2513 2624 so competitive games.

But you finish, you know, this was but it's that play at the net.

You're talking about 4 players with 10 or more kills.

You get your defense gets 13 blocks combined in the 3 games.

But just that better plant than that.

And then, you know, just the all around play about Sarah white 10 killed.

She gets 4 blocks up your this everybody's elevating their game.

Well, and again, it's a tale to 2 matches, right.

It's one block on Friday night versus 13 on Saturday and how much that impacts the total game when you can control play at the net a little bit more made it more difficult for Michigan.

Tech's offense made it easier for our transition offense.

And then it puts you in a little more of a calm state to know that you're in control of what's going on.

I thought that's one into we played very well set 3.

We came out a little flat had to fight our way back a couple different times in that set.

But ultimately to your point, we not only fought back but then finished off the set without having to go to 4th or 5th.

Does it feel like I'm in all the road games.

Tough environments like you just had trial by fire early on.

Yeah.

It's very similar to last fall.

We're on the road.

The first 3 weekends kind of similar open the glee Cup up north with northern tack.

Yeah.

And we talked about it in pre season that it is not going to be easy start to the season.

We're on the road for 5 straight weeks.

But it isn't something to make an excuse about it.

Something to embrace and figure out how to make it through it.

Well, at 7, 3, overall 1, 1, the record within the conference.

Now you've got guess what.

More road games like it's going to go on the road Purdue Northwest and then Wisconsin Parkside coming up.

So touch on these.

Give us a little flavor for.

Yeah.

Again, you know, a little bit longer of a trip as we're heading up to Kenosha, Wisconsin Parkside.

I think they're playing well this year they were off to a great start in the first 2 preseason tournaments and then Purdue on Friday night has a new head coach watch a little film.

There's this morning, actually.

And I really like what he's doing with the program.

They're going to run an offense that's going to cause some stress for blocking her defense again, that we're going to have to figure out how to how to put up a good defensive effort against them meant to mentally wise in food for your team is a tough continue to go on the road to crank them up.

I don't think so.

So far this team has been very focused on what they want to accomplish this year.

And I haven't noticed that now.

It does mean that we have to be very mindful of how long were practicing some extra days off because of the travel and because of the academics.

But no, I haven't noticed any of the road where yet I think if it's going to set in, you will be over the next 2 weeks where we hit 4, 5, on the road but know very pleased with our team's response so far.

Yeah.

A great place so far.

7, 3, 1, 1, You get that split on the road in the U P up.

Great to have a Jason.

Thanks, Steve.

Appreciate it.

Well, don't go away.

The Grand Valley.

State sports report will return in a moment.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> The Grand Valley State Lakers started off the 2022 cross country season competing in the night invite to the campus of Calvin University.

15 runners ran for GB issue with the women competing in the 6 K race and the men in an 8 K race.

A total of 10 teams were in attendance at the night invite in both the men's and women's racing categories with a 143 men and a 130 women participating.

>> The Laker men scored a total of 51 team points overall.

A warning them a second place finish.

Well, the Laker women scored a total of a 107 points finishing in 4th place.

A total of the GB issue.

Runners finished in the top 20 of the night.

Invite freshman Maria Whitman took 4th place in that one 6 K the highest finish for all to be issued runners following her with sophomore Caleb swore to finish 6th overall in the men's 8 K freshman June parks and Bentley all of us and finish back to back for the men's team with the 9th and 10th place finish baggy o'malley with the second to be issued Laker to finish for the women.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> For the Lakers.

Had the East Lansing next week ended September 16 to compete in the Spartan Invitational where they plan to utilize the majority of the squat.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> Well, coming off their 7th national championship in program, history.

Chief issue women soccer looks to find their way back to postseason success and starting their season on August 25th.

The Lakers have gone 3, 1, 2, over that span.

The team is under new leadership, the season.

And with that being said, we'd like to welcome for the first time ever, the program head coach, Katie whole team high kid.

I great to have you and welcome to Grand Valley and season well underway.

Just some general thoughts, kind of how, you know, new to the program, a new to this program for you.

How are things going?

>> Exit.

I feel like I'm right where I belong to him enjoying the student athletes so much and also just the athletic department.

I mean, he walked down the hallway and whether to basketball player or a volleyball player.

Everyone saying hi, everyone is friendly.

Everyone knows kind of what you have coming up in your we can how you did over the over the previous weekend.

So it's a it's an amazing community.

And just a great department.

>> Well, 3, 1, 2, overall, one.

Oh, one in the glee act as mentioned.

So we'll go to some highlights fair state.

You get the rivalry games right away.

>> The road.

So it's not an easy start for you.

But let's touch on the fact is we mention the first the game was a scoreless draw.

They have changed the overtime rules.

Tell us about that.

Yes, >> in regular season.

Play that the games are only 90 minutes traditionally would be if it ended in a tie after 90 minutes, you would get 2.10 minute overtime periods.

>> If a goal was scored in those 10 out over time parents game was over.

They have eliminated the overtime rule.

So you have to you have to win a 90 minute if you want to Kennedy beard and was actually the last she scored the last overtime goal.

>> And then to a history last year.

The championship both well in this game getting its first on the road number 17, the Bulldogs were injured on the road that neither team a shot on goal, the 1st half.

But then things got a little more more flurry of action by way of the shots on goal.

The 2nd half and enough for our really left that active shooter.

>> She that Nina is she's an animal.

She covers about 10 miles a game which is crazy settlement for us and she's just always trying to find the ball.

We actually made some adjustments and her higher up the field towards the end of the game.

And that's where she got a majority of opportunities.

But she's been at it a huge player for us just in Kazakhstan cancellation great.

>> A scoreless draw in this game shots or even 12 apiece shots on goal fares to their 5 to 3.

You got more corner kicks and a Robertson and goal.

5 states.

>> Kendall has been huge for us.

She she comes up with some a big say she's greater shot stopping.

She's great at managing the space behind her line.

I think one of her her greatest asset is her ability to lead from the back.

So she has she's been fantastic so far this year.

>> So the rivalry weekend continuing you're on the road that number 24 2nd all Valley state the Cardinals.

And this time you get a thrilling win 3 to 2 again.

Robertson.

Very good in goal for saves for you.

But early pressure in this game.

Initially you get a 6, 1, advantage there in the first 14 minutes.

The aggressiveness was there right from the start of this one.

>> Yeah.

I think we had a really good game plan.

Our teams really bought in and do a great job defensively, which is helping us press higher up the field and actually gives us a lot more opportunities on goal.

We have to make quite a few positional adjustment yesterday based on some illnesses and stuff like that.

So they did a really good job of adapting to those changes and adjustments and we managed Saginaw was attacked really well.

They had they had a couple really good players are very dangerous for them.

>> Well, Taylor read to goal scoring one of the 1st half tied at halftime of this.

She gets another one in that 2nd half along with Kennedy Byrd.

Yeah.

>> Taylor read is that she is scan silent like she's just it just sort of shows up.

It appears and she is fantastic, which is on the call.

She was a really dangerous for us yesterday getting in behind their back line.

I'm just really dangerous in front of goal.

So we'll try to get her in front of goal as much as we possibly can.

A long beard.

And of course she she has the ability to put the ball back to that very well.

>> Well, you get the shot advantage.

1713 9 to 6 advantage shots on goal and Grand Valley wins that 3 to 2 now.

3, 1, 2, overall.

So now we look ahead and the homestand.

Yeah, it's going to be coming your way.

6 game homestand and that will start up of this coming Friday.

Wisconsin Parkside will be the opponent and then some fun stuff for the weekend to talk about that.

>> Yeah, we're really excited to be home.

We we are away this last weekend.

We are way for first 2 games of the season.

But we're excited to be home in front of our fans got our alumni day coming up on Sunday.

So have a lot of along.

Come back and on top of that, we're going to have a 100 kids first the team.

So we've got over a 100 kids signed up right now and they're going to be on the field with us after the game competing against our players.

A 100 kids 100 kids Friday.

Ages K K through 8 boys and girls and it is going to be a blast.

>> Wow.

Yeah, that's that's interesting.

Yeah.

So you get you get to Friday with Parkside that Sunday action should be a lot of fun for you guys as you develop this team.

I know the development the competitiveness hallmarks for you as a program and need to see that that's starting to come along.

Well, welcome to again Valley in the program.

Great to have you.

Thank you so much.

We'll be right back.

As the Grand Valley State sports report continues here in WGVU.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] Well, that's all the time that we have this week and the Grand Valley.

State sports report GSU football will host family did in Allendale on Saturday.

September 17th at 07:00PM get the family together for a fun-filled night lover stadium and keep an eye on jea issue Lakers dot com for more information on family that GSU volleyball continues their road stretch with a game against Purdue Northwest Friday night at 08:00PM in Hammond, Indiana, though, that make the trek up to Kenosha, Wisconsin for a 03:00PM game against the Parkside Rangers on Saturday.

>> TV issue cross country heads to East Lansing this Friday for the Spartan Invitational will take on competition from all levels of the N C a a if they continue to build up for their postseason races for upcoming games as well as live broadcast of every Laker athletic program is a gbx 2 Lakers dot com for more of the show head over to our youtube channel.

A youtube dot com slash WGVU 35.

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

>> I'm Steve Lloyd.

Jones.

Have a great week.

Laker nation.

And as always, anchor up.

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