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

I'm your host Stephen Lloyd Jones Laker football took home a win in front of a crowd of 16,000 fans on Saturday for family day TV issue, women soccer notched 2 conference wins in Allendale over the weekend.

Laker volleyball picked up to glee act wins on the road before they return home this Tuesday tvs you men's and women's cross country made strides as they competed in the Spartan invite in East Lansing on Friday and our feature this week highlights GSU football standout aid Swanson and his contributions on the field.

Locking in Laker nation as the Grand Valley.

State sports report starts right now.

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You football return to Allendale Saturday night for a matchup with Lincoln University out of California.

The Lakers overwhelmed, the Oakland or 66 to 7 in front of more than 16,600 fans.

The 5th largest crowd in lower stadium history.

Here now to tell us more as head coach Matt Mitchell.

But you could have.

Yeah.

Things are mainly on, you know, great weather, huge crowd.

You gave you guys give him a lot to cheer about.

>> Yeah.

Obviously out awesome atmosphere.

You know, the weather is great.

Fans really came out says really appreciate the support that we get a Grand Valley.

I think our players recognize that, you know, one thing we're back.

Watch the tape.

Our players play really hard.

You know, might be some assumptions.

3 know, you know, coming out of the game and their own 3 head into the game.

But our guys really competed extremely hard.

And it was just a bit was a great night.

We played over 90 players.

So I think is really valuable for not only the short term of a program.

But potentially the future of our program that we've got a lot of guys in that game.

The really first substantial game action since we started the 2022 season.

>> That's right.

We'll talk about some of those new names here.

Statistically another huge night.

You know what the yardage total yards 524 66 points.

So a lot that you liked here.

And let's talk about the new names players that really stepped up here sigh.

And it was my harp or lead you in rushing.

>> And this guy is in the to to really remember for the futures may yet come to the graphic coming out of camp for spring ball fall camp as a redshirt freshman really feel good about where sign was at.

Obviously a trick reject prevention her both juniors and seniors.

But as richer freshman, he put a product on tapes.

Got really good feel for the run game.

And you know, kind of the has a good balance of some speed.

It's changed direction, but also finishes runs very physical.

And so it does have really bright future.

The first 2 games.

Just haven't had a lot of opportunities to get him.

And you know, we don't really like to be a 3 tailback team.

I think when you start to split carries a 3, 3, tailbacks you start to lose a little bit feel.

But yeah, definitely has a bright future and I think 2 will try to find a little bit more action based on performance on Saturday night like you're in the right to get a few more touches.

>> That's right.

Jack preventer almost got a 1000 in his career that will have to wait another week or so.

But you're quarterbacks.

Both played both played really well yet.

The key Peterson throwing for almost 200 yards.

Couple of scores Callum the cop.

He has a 128 yards.

2 scores.

Johnnie Walker gets his first touchdown as a Laker spectacular grabs.

Again, 42 yards on 3 catches 2 of them went for touchdowns.

But again, he was big highlight man.

>> Yeah.

Wasn't you know, I think are babies were pretty comfortable with the gold ball, you know, and even some of those goalline fades.

But we got him in the flat one time.

And he really turned that ball up and really accelerated.

And so it's good to see him last week Epps catch couple breaking routes but also some short stuff this week to not just the guys down the field.

And so try to open up a few more things to him and yeah, it was good to have all of our quarterbacks participate.

Obviously kids are starting quarterback were still use a neighbor in some spots situations running the ball which would maybe complete a pass.

You know, when you have is action towards the end.

I thought Cal did a great job coming in.

He's a different style.

Kaden is a different style than Avery.

But I thought I deliver the ball.

Well and in a one get a spotlight to court Hoover's.

A senior receiver has been a program.

Now 6 years really awesome for him to get some opportunities really capital as those opportunities which 2 touchdown catches on Saturday night.

Yeah, he did Cordell to grant 89 yards and the 2 scores.

>> Leading tacklers.

Again, some new names here.

But the need to see it.

Luke McLean 6 tackles Marcus Griffin 6 tackles Luke a nice job on the ankles of to sway a guy who was like tag little bowling ball.

>> He did a nice job yet richer freshman.

He's been playing special teams early on because of the nature of the game were able to get him in some safety action.

I thought we did a good job.

Another younger player Grant Hart had an interception couple pass breakups.

And then, you know, I think Thomas Jolly's got want to mention to an interior defensive linemen to redshirt freshman that we thought played really well and probably based on his performances like sign is going a little bit more playing time as we kind of, you know, headed to Wayne state just kind of puts a part on tape.

So it always good to try to give guys opportunities and some guys was, you know, took advantage of their opportunities.

I think don't think it's worth mentioning is there was a huge drop-off in production performance as what kind of from the first unit to the second unit.

You know, defense pitched a shutout that 7 points.

More special teams lack of especially for 4 months of the kickoff return for a touchdown and we kept going with our second unit and that was my intent.

You know, these guys worked really hard spring ball summer, workouts fall camp.

We need to run our offense defense.

And we did when those guys, you know, we did change anything in an attempt to try develop those guys and give give them opportunity.

So I didn't think you saw huge production in the drop-off.

Steve, which I think is a credit to the works.

Those guys been put in.

>> Yeah.

It's coaches.

You guys are watching that value aiding the film, you know, for them in the future.

Well, let's look ahead of this week.

You're getting on the roads.

Kind of back and forth go to the Motor City.

Wayne state.

6 o'clock kick.

They're one 2 and a running back.

Myron Harris Whos is tough to deal with.

>> Yeah.

First of 2 games with them just given the nature of our schedule.

This is actually a nonconference game against a conference opponent.

We did this last year with Michigan tax.

Looking forward to getting over to the side.

The state a lot of our players are from the side of the state's.

Oh, 06:00PM start should be great apps for Tom Adams field.

Yeah, they have 2 running backs that they try to feature.

And Byron Harris been one of them.

He was as of last lashes, a freshman kind of person on the scene and they have another back into Williams that they use lab.

It's a different situation.

So 2 guys, a little bit like a thunder lightning combination.

I think my little bit more of a gap between the tackles and does some things.

But when he, you know, not slow, but more of a power runner and the definite keloland's facets.

Will some guys that are really trying to lean on the rushing attack early on.

And you know, defense is giving up some points against slippery rock.

And, you know, Wisconsin across Cayman and down 2 scores kind of came back.

So I'm sure you know, they're trying to get something solved defensively here as they head into the 4th game and see their first black opponent.

>> That's right.

One into their record.

You guys now 3 and oh, with the wind 66 7, the final score there on Saturday night could see much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We'll be right back.

The Grand Valley State sports report that will continue after this and WGN [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] Grand Valley State cross country.

Head of the East Lansing on September 16th the compete in the Spartan Invitational as their second meet of the season.

The Lakers finished in first on the men's side.

While the women finished in second place.

The GSU men's team scored a total of 45 points earning them a first place finish in front of 3 NCAA Division.

One teams.

>> Cincinnati number 30 Michigan State and Penn State.

The Lakers finished the Spartan Invitational a K with a total of 13 men placing in the top 55 in the top 23 in the top 10 out of 279 runners on the day.

Senior Tanner chadha held roughly a 32nd lead to the end crossing the finish line in claiming a first place finish for the jea issue met Andrew Hyland.

Kobe fries, finished neck-and-neck police in 8th and 9th the GSU women's team recorded a total of 71 points.

A warning, the Lakers a second place finish behind Michigan State junior Natalie graver was the first TV issue runner to cross the finish line.

Placing 4th overall, the women 6 K Claudio o'malley and tear and check over the next 2 Lakers finish for Grand Valley.

State placing 1418.

The Lakers ended with 11 runners finishing in the top 56 in the top.

>> 30 out of 231 runners.

Overall TV issue will look to run back the successful performance as they compete at the live in lieu cross country.

Classic in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday October 1st at 08:00AM [MUSIC] [MUSIC] the new issue.

Women soccer took 2 more wins and Alan Hill this week meeting Parkside on Friday with a late winner followed by an 8 mil route of Purdue Northwest Sunday on alumni day.

Here to talk about the team's head coach Katie whole team did a great to have a good good to be here.

So these victories for you.

A 2 to one.

The final scores and 8 route.

So tonight's victories and you've got to be at home out great.

>> Being at home was was special this weekend in great crowds for both games could have asked for more and better weather like the weather was amazing.

It's a yeah.

How is that for soccer?

It wasn't even a touch warmer yesterday or was it yesterday was a touch warmer nice breeze, which helped.

But but it it it was pretty perfect weather to play.

Absolutely.

Well, you get Wisconsin Parkside the first game of the 2 for the weekend and you win this kind of thrilling fashion.

So walk us through it.

Kennedy Metzger, the winner.

You did have a 28 to 10 shot advantage.

But good goalkeeping can kind of neutral.

I can write this game can be kind of cruel.

Sometimes you can totally dominate and you know, won't fall your way, but we were able to find a way at the end of the game.

28 shots is a lot of shots and about half of those Ron frame so their goalkeeper.

We see we say stood on her head.

She played a phenomenal game and made it really hard for us to score.

But we found a way at the end and that's critical as was beautiful.

>> Yeah, Ryan, 30 get.

It will get you on the board first with this much and Kennedy Metzger later.

>> Corner kick advantage for you as well.

That just doesn't happen sometimes just to get a lot of time.

So this going it doesn't just don't go in.

A lot of set pieces and they just can't convert.

But we were able to convert on on a corner kick in the 1st half.

And that's been one of our goals is to try to convert on set pieces because they are really dangerous opportunities.

>> But Wisconsin Parkside came in for 2 overall.

You down to a 2 to one final score.

So then you move on.

And it's you know, it's family day.

It's kind of alumni to be there for you Sunday and 8 nil victory over Purdue Northwest.

>> Yeah, we were.

We were able to play everybody yesterday, which is it's awesome.

We've got to rest some people.

We've got to play some young freshman that needed some minutes.

I was really proud of the team's performance we talked about not getting complacent even when you're up for nothing in working to continue to get better throughout the game.

And I think everyone was committed to that.

We continue to get better throughout the game and play our style.

So there are a lot a lot.

A new faces on the field and a lot of people that.

>> Got some good minutes.

That's right.

Well, you have the Taylor re getting a couple of goals.

Kennedy Bearden had 2 goals because you don't have to as well.

So 3 Lakers getting multiple goals in this game.

But chance a few Morgan, at least you wait, they get the goals first the season.

Yeah.

So.

>> It's she's a freshman.

She's going to be a phenomenal player for us.

Very impactful on the field.

Great go by her and then Alicia white coming back from it from an ACL injury.

And I I hope that that gives you the confidence to go out and continue to to fight and play hard ever again.

She's a really special player.

>> Well, if anybody needed another stat to show your domination more so than the 8 mil score.

>> 34 nothing the shot advantage.

They didn't.

You didn't allow shot.

Yeah.

How does that ever happened before for you.

It happens.

I mean, we are the way we play is very possession-based.

So our goal is to just keep the ball.

And if we can keep the ball, they don't get the ball.

They don't get to come down our throats, our our backline did a really good job of just maintaining possession, keeping them out of our half and doing the job.

Defense.

>> O Grande Valley at 5, 1, to 2 overall, 3 on one with in the glee act and a big one coming up this week.

You're going to have a northern Michigan at home.

7 o'clock.

They come in at 7 on one of the copper 7 on one overall foreign on the conference.

>> Yeah.

They their powerhouse this year.

I think this is going to be the biggest game frost so far this year.

I their physical.

They've got some goal scores and they're out to get us.

We've got a big target on her back all the time.

So it will be a really good matchup and when better to play like we can play under.

The lights is going to be awesome.

Yeah, you do.

And you get do you get more preparation because they're the first game of the weekend is that help at all?

It does help we get more preparation and we're going to be more fresh than we would on Sunday.

So all the great however, think at the same thing.

So, yeah, so it will be a really good match up.

I'm excited to play against them.

I think it will.

It will be a fun game, but we need to be really disciplined them and how we play.

Yeah, they've been very good.

>> You know, over the years, but it sounds like they're exceptionally.

So the shelter.

All right.

So that's 7 o'clock Friday night in Allendale against northern Michigan.

Michigan Tech on Sunday.

This will be a 12 noon kick.

Yeah.

And.

>> I think Michigan Tech's also going to come in and play us really well.

They've been I'm kind of hot and cold this year.

But everyone kind of brings the Heat when they play off.

So we're expecting that game.

Yeah, that's right.

>> We're learning that, you know, yeah, everybody's played just kind of goes.

Yeah, but not yet, doesn't it.

>> Well real quick.

What what are you may be learning.

You didn't expect that you would see at this point of the season when he learned what you can about the team in general.

>> They're passionate.

They love the sport and they they love to play for each other and they love to play for the GB on their chest.

I think there's a lot to be said for that.

So there you know, I didn't expect in the last, but it it really stands out to the yeah.

>> Well, again, the 5, 1, 2, record overall 3 on one of the conference Cornwell with with big games this week.

We wish you the best of luck.

Thank you.

Thank you, Katie.

But we'll be right back right here in the Grand Valley State sports reports we continue.

And WGVU [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] UBS U volleyball.

Match to more glee act wins this week defeating Purdue Northwest on Friday before taking down Wisconsin Parkside on Saturday.

Joining us now to talk about the team as head coach Jason Johnson and Jason the bigger.

How are you?

Great to have you.

I'm doing well as your team also had a great week.

The temple of nice winds here.

So just the feeling coming off of that general reaction to it again.

Another good weekend for us being on the road.

You know, again, we've talked at length about how long we've been on the road but being able to go on the road, get 2 more wins in conference is good.

You know, I think Purdue and Wisconsin Parkside both are playing better this year than they have in years past in.

So we knew it was not going to be easy road trip heading out there.

Well, you beat to produce Northwest 3, the the win for you.

So we sweep them.

And it was a great attack, shall we say.

Both are really the first and 3rd games.

Yes, but throughout and you overwhelm.

>> Yeah.

I think offensively we were in a really good place.

You know, I think our size, our physicality.

I'm pretty Northwest.

Does not have the same size we do.

So.

They played great defense forced us to play extra balls.

I thought so one.

We kind of got out early and they didn't know how to respond to the set to they force us to play a little bit longer points which results in a little bit lower attack percentage.

But then set 3.

I thought we learn how to just manage in then overcome what they were doing to frustrate and slow us down a little bit.

And then we were able to push that attack percentage back up.

Kendall Stover lead you with 12 kills Havana top some big weekend for.

She gets 11.

Yes, I'm currently Bowman.

6 kills she comes in and is able to really fill in very nicely.

Yeah.

Played in the middle position this weekend did a great job for us.

She's been pushing to get opportunities throughout practice over the last few weeks.

And, you know, have that opportunity this weekend present itself.

And so, you know, I thought she did a great job on Friday night just filling in in in taking that position and doing a during the best way that from from her standpoint.

So the sweep of Purdue Northwest 3 that would set up a the second to match really for you for the weekend.

Wisconsin Parkside 3, 1, You're able to defeat them.

So you win the first couple games.

They come back.

Yeah, it's tight and all 3 for a while.

The new you get the runs away, but they get you in Game 3 of that.

Yeah.

You know, I think they're serving as the match went on was putting more and more pressure on our passing.

And as the passing breaks down your offense tends to break down a little bit more become a little more predictable, make it easier for the other team's defense and I felt like as the match wore on their serving put us under a lot of pressure.

I don't think we handled it particularly well.

But I think offensively we found ways to score points move on I think are serving helped us get out of add some additional points.

And what we're doing as well.

Yeah.

Individually for players with 10 or more kills in this match.

Savannah Thompson, season-high 14 kills for you.

Jordan Gates 3rd triple-double.

Yes, well, talk about that move.

Volleyball perspective.

Yeah.

You know, it's again, kind of unique system that we're running with the 2 center offense.

But it allows one of our centers to hit as well.

So she's getting opportunities to be an attacker as well as one of our center.

So, you know, she has those opportunities to push those numbers from a triple-double standpoint, if you if you talk about it.

But from an attacking and then she's run the offense for 3 rotations.

But I think more importantly, the defense that she brings to her position when she's in the back row helps us maintain in play at a high level as well.

Rigell jakway point her out as well.

21 assists for Isis.

Yeah.

For you.

Yeah.

Her serving has been really good all season long.

It's been something we we had a focus on I think being a 3 rotation center.

Now she knows she has, you know, lost opportunities for rotational standpoint to make an impact and she's been very focused on making sure that serve as one of the things when she comes in.

That is helping us create more offense on our side of the net Grande Valley at 93 3, 1, within the conference, the schedule makers not kind to you early are going to be a little reprieve, though.

Yeah.

Here at home, Davenport, 7 o'clock.

They're 9, 4, though, to get to.

Yeah.

Very good team.

You know, I think coach out that slurs got a great job of recruiting and developing as players.

You know, they run a defensive system that's going to put pressure on you to play, you know, play extra points player to balls force you to stay and do it at likely know.

And it's, you know, a quick turnaround from the weekend.

Kids had Sunday off and then we'll gear back up today.

Short practice to get ready for Davenport tomorrow.

That's right.

Devin ports, 7 o'clock on Tuesday.

But then on the weekend back to the road to get to second on Valley.

State Friday, 7 o'clock.

They're eaten for 4 on the Concorde on the conference and they went on the road and won a couple games this weekend, maybe Davenport at Davenport again.

Very good team, very good defensive team.

They don't make a lot of mistakes.

They force you to play.

Like I said, extra points, extra balls across the net.

And again, it's going to be a great test for kids to get on the road and see what we can do for last 2 of this 5 weekend road trip.

Yes.

So that's Friday night.

That's that second all Valley Saturday afternoon.

Your in Detroit at Wayne state.

7, 5, The Warriors right now won 3 in the glee AK.

Yeah.

And I think their record doesn't represent the type of team they are.

I think there they're very talented team.

There are a senior experienced team.

So they're getting a little bit of a rough stretch.

But I do expect them to be able to start turning things around and playing well at home as on top of that, we've always had very long for 5 set matches.

Every time we go over to Wayne state the point well, the the record, a very solid, of course, 9, 3, 3, 1, overall and you guys just grinding through these road games on the great job.

Just great to have you.

Thank you.

Thanks to appreciate it.

Well, don't go away.

The Grand Valley.

State sports report will return in a moment.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> Would you be issue football's AIDS Swanson the set the tone for the Laker defense this season as he leads the team in tackles through 3 games this year.

Tom Cleary has the story.

>> When the 2022 football season began Grande Valley's first order of business was negotiating the minefield presented by team from Colorado heart-stopping opening win over Colorado mines.

Graham at Mitchell's teams.

Imagine.

But as important was the week 2 victory at Colorado state level for the defense allowed just one touchdown in the Lakers.

Second victory in question ring leader for Jim Lewis is defenders this year is linebacker James Swanson and all glee actually since 2021 with set the tone for his sights, deep and improving defensive.

>> It helps us, you know, in tight games, long drive, extended rise guys are going to break, you know, someone's going to go in there.

Someone's going to do the job to their best ability.

They're going to the job.

So just having that makes this team well, rounded.

It brings us the next LeBron.

>> A junior from Saint Charles, Illinois.

H one son first impressed on special teams in Allendale moved up last year to become a nationally recognized linebacker and the conference defensive skill player of the year.

In addition to finishing the season with over 100 tackles.

He scored his first touchdown with an interception are turning in Saginaw Valley.

Well, becoming the standard for player expectations in Allen.

>> It means a lot not just in terms of what you can do on the field.

It's the things he did off the field.

He's a natural born leader.

He's the quarterback of our defense and our guy.

Our players lean on and you know, a lot of different times.

>> Through the first 2 wins.

Swanson was part of a team tackles in against nationally recognized teams.

And while he seemingly the one piece of the Grand Valley defense has never changes.

It's one son's presence everywhere else and makes him so valuable.

It's watching again out there.

He's twice been a great Lakes conference.

Academic excellence honoree is counted on by Matt Mitchell and his coaches as a guy.

They look 2 for his ability to Shepherd and mentor the new and younger players looking to slot into the kind of role now occupied.

>> Number no one out who's going to be especially if you're a young guy, a leader could go down.

A senior can go down.

But, you know, it's next guy up mentality and there will be ready for it.

>> Following the Lakers game with first-time opponent Lincoln University of California Grand Valley embarks upon the portion of its schedule has only conference schools.

Remaining one will be mentioning the October 15th game with fair state anytime soon.

It's one son says last year's heavy playoff loss to the Bulldogs.

Big Rapids snowstorm serves as a daily reminder.

How every moment of the season can impact its final results.

>> I was never leave your mind.

You just step in.

You folks on the next day, though.

That's what we did as a team.

That's what we've been doing all summer, all spring ball its focus on the next one.

>> Is out.

Who's going to come.

But until then, the Grand Valley defense will continue to march to the tune of its defensive leader while apes Watson continues a stellar allenville career.

It offers much more promise after a strong start in 2022 the Grand Valley State sports report.

I'm Tom clear.

[MUSIC] >> Well, that's all the time that we have this week on the Grand Valley State sports reports jea issue football will hit the road for a Saturday night matchup against Wayne state game time from the troika slated for 06:00PM TV issue.

Women soccer will take on to plea act opponents this week as well.

First stop is northern Michigan on Friday night kickoff scheduled for 07:00PM there.

Then take on Michigan Tech on Sunday and 12 noon game TV issue volleyball set to play Davenport tomorrow in Allendale with a 07:00PM start time of the jea issue Fieldhouse arena.

Then they hit the road to the east side of Michigan taking on Saginaw Valley state at 07:00PM on Friday before battling Wayne state in Detroit to 02:00PM on Saturday for upcoming games as well as live broadcast of every Laker athletic program, visit GSU Lakers, dot com.

>> For more of the show head over to our youtube channel at youtube.

Dot com slash WGVU 35.

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

>> I'm Steve Boyd.

Jones.

Have a great week.

Laker nation.

And as always Anchor Up.

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