>> Welcome back to an all new episode of the Grand Valley.

State sports reported WGVU I'm your host.

Steve Lloyd Jones, great to have you tonight to be issue football, host of the Battle of the valleys in Allendale Laker volleyball returned home sweeping both of their weekend matchups.

Judicial women soccer hit the pitch at home against crosstown rival Davenport TV issue men's golf competed in the folds of honor Invitational in June issue cross country ran fast in the live in lieu classic rocket in Laker nation is the Grand Valley.

State sports report starts right now.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] Matt Mitchell second-ranked Lakers open glee act play by welcoming 17th ranked Saginaw Valley state to Allendale and Ali claimed an impressive 29, 10 victory in the latest battle of the valleys.

Here's the coach to tell us more, which could happen.

Thanks.

So we talked to a lot last week about how the running game would be kind of the story of this often isn't football.

But especially so in this matchup and you guys other than one run.

They have completely shut it down and you are consistent on the ground.

>> Yeah, I think for a starting defensive side of all I can say they have someone run that first drive and got over half of the rushing yards.

Almost no one run.

And, you know, was just one of these deals, the kind of locked up with a maybe not a great call.

But after that, we really did a great job.

Both of the running backs and fly sweeps around some receivers, especially the quarterback, you know, trying to some of the designed runs really got him out of that and found ourselves in a lot more third-longest on defense.

But you want to be in and, you know, got them to be a 3 to 13 on 3rd down and on one of 4 town.

So I think that was really key to our fish and sea in first and second down.

It's the run game.

Got them a little bit off balance got into that for the script or offensive side.

The ball, you know, not the greatest art terms with 3 and out.

And then we some of the ball on the second possession.

But we found a fun little bit of a rhythm really felt like the drive at the end of the 1st half that we're starting to lean on him.

Our backs are finishing runs.

And so really came in the locker room is tell the players like I think this will be the formula for success in the 2nd half is to continue counting on.

I think ended up with over 230 yards rushing really proud of our offense to they received the ball with 8 minutes.

9 seconds left on the clock and proceeded to grind out an entire drive.

Our defense never had to go on the field.

It was a 3 score game.

You've been in situations.

You know, if you play bad offensive, we put it back to Earth on around gets their heart rates up a little bit hectic.

We never had to put a defense on the field and we finished the game.

Like I said, with 8 Street minutes of possession really just ran almost every single down.

That was really impressive performance to finish the game.

>> This was it to me really a team effort just all across the board football team a team sport, but scientists Bihari per.

He's you're leading rusher.

He's coming in 59 yards.

TD runs for over 8 yards.

A carry you had Copa treat good play in the secondary.

A lot of guys in the secondary doing things treats her ditch up hunting was great.

>> You can go on and on and with guys who maybe don't get the limelight all the time before they stepped up and did a great job.

Yeah.

And in one of those things is our second year.

I think our secondary played the best game and specifically niesr for Queen really happened, you know, kind of his someone say coming out party will have that with a big hit.

The one pick that was called and then another one that was really close on the opposite sideline in almost a chance for 2 interceptions, but we recovered the receivers very well.

So when the quarterback drop back to pass it.

You know, there was a lot of clean Windows ran a lot more man and did a really good job containing the quarterback for second is huge key and that, as you mentioned, trace her just as Richard freshman just completely flipped the field really all those things.

You know that if if we're not to score every possession offense when we don't.

Let's end it with a kick because we have a really talented punter and we had some great coverage.

David Anderson and Graeme Hart as our gunners are running down.

I was concerned about the return game.

We force fair catches on every single one of the points we had down right now.

We're second the nation terms up on average.

That's flipped in the field are really helping our defense.

You know that on the offensive side of the ball.

It was it was really need to kind of have some different things happening with some different guys.

You know, Cody tyranny on the reverse really set us up.

Johnny Walker gets a fly sweep for a touchdown.

You now darryll Johnson.

A little bit of all both on a pass reception across the middle for explosive and the pattern set up or first one, Darrell Johnson.

Good to get him going.

A few more continues to come into some really nice things that 20 yard, touchdown run.

He was really exposed to get around that edge the corner.

So as you mentioned, a lot of different guys kind of chip in still few things that we've got to kind of clean up a space of their kicking game acts point field goal in the kickoff team is going to be a little bit of improvement is a move for.

But, you know, come out again and get that type of win against a team that was for now and get off to a start with one of the glee act.

I think it's just like you said, a good team win was pretty balanced.

Yeah, absolutely.

>> Even though, you know, pay dividends fighting through adversity before in the season.

Got the slow start throughout the game, had some 3rd and longs.

You had to work through but defensively to Chinese Swanson's leadership here, stuff.

The stats with with, you know, just great, great numbers but impact place.

>> Then he's he's just been had a great start to your campaign.

You know, Heidi, he's definitely a leader of our defense.

And he made so many key place.

We fumbled the ball and we get put in a bad position down 7 nothing.

It could have really gone.

Maybe not great for Grande Valley terms be down 14 nothing.

He made an unbelievable play on 3rd down, you know, cover the running back in the flat and force the field goal team on for the mess.

There's a couple of times.

We just did an unbelievable job in physical in the run game and you don't have to pick the pick where we did a really good job getting pressure.

The quarterback, how often it up and they've done a good job company thats.

So so happy.

He's getting some of the production based on what the process he puts in is one of our artists work players.

Definitely a leader.

I think it did a really good job, too, that you don't see that soon statute.

There was a lot of chipping us and talking that was going on throughout the course of game.

He got our team, pulled back and got us out of some situations that potentially could result in some penalties and his leadership on the field.

I think really showed.

And so yeah, he's a middle linebacker.

He's our one of our team captains.

He's one of our guys and he's playing at that level at my pain is a championship level.

It's good to see.

>> Yeah.

And a Christian.

But Carol, to boy off the edge.

Excellent.

All right.

So in the last few moments that we have.

Let's talk about we have coming up this week.

Number long road trip.

Yeah.

Airways to >> a Massachusetts at Springfield, Massachusetts play America national that a bye week last week.

So, you know, that had we try to get obviously get ready for our game.

But no team has been known for.

I think that, you know, I know the most out of players, a quarterback 6 foot 4, a player that can really throw the ball over the field day with a deft.

Definitely spread out have really been running the ball very effectively Sabine arcing.

See how that kind of goes down and then, you know, defensively still trying to find their way in regards to, you know, the different packages, the run.

And so it's going to be game were probably get the feel out how they're going to try to attack us early on and going, just not another opportunity to for our team to get a non-conference win.

And as you start to look at the strength of schedule as we get closer to regional rankings coming out.

It's just another opportunity to go out of reach and potential to put your best foot forward.

A critical to as we keep a building momentum.

I'm not allow this team looks forward to the October 15th matchup of big Rapids.

We need to focus on us.

There's plenty of things to watch the tape.

We can prove apart.

We have another opportunity do that throughout the course week of practice and on the field Saturday.

>> Yeah.

American International win for.

But they know the states they have a chance against Grand Valley.

So they're going to come up with some things that probably haven't even shown this year.

>> No doubt.

And I think got to be prepared for anything.

And, you know, get those type of games.

You get no trick plays on side kick.

You know that people swinging for the fences and we can understand that that might be that type of game.

You know, a noon start, you know, guys going to have to get up early, get kind of get ready to go.

We had our last night game with the second about states.

We're kind of flip our schedules headed October and a lot more noon start.

So, you know, change up our schedule little bit kind of get ready to go and we'll have a road game on Sunday and start.

>> Yeah.

And that's where maybe the the practice which time, you know, to go to 10 to noon can hobble there.

Yeah, I hope great.

Have the mix.

Thank you for that.

We'll be right back.

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

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> Grand Valley state brought home a first and 3rd place finish in the goal division races after competing in the live from cross country.

Classic in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday October 1st, the Laker men under first-place finish scoring a total of a 104 points ending with 5 runners in the top 50 to get you place.

The head of a number of NCAA Division.

One programs including Miami, Cincinnati Eastern Michigan, Louisville and offers outscoring them by 40 plus points.

Senior center Chad pulled ahead of the men's pack roughly around the 14 minute mark take home his second victory of the season finishing in first place with a new personal best.

The Cape times Kobe frogs of Andrew Hyland finish back to back with a two-second different times earning 15th and 16th overall rocks waterson and Scott's fans for with the final 2 Lakers to finish in the top 50 helping TV issue secure their first place finish the Laker women brought home a 3rd place finish with 5 runners in the top 50 scoring a total of a 132 points.

Falling shortly behind NCAA Division.

One programs from an and West Virginia junior.

Natalie, great for the first Laker to complete the 5 K on the women's side, earned herself a 6th place finish on today following behind River was Lauren Kiley across the finish line and 13 cloudy o'malley finished 35th followed by Karen chatto, 38 place and Abby Van der Corey finished in 41st place.

The Laker cross country team will head to Peoria, Illinois to compete in the Bradley pink last Friday, October 14.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> 2 more in the win column for Grande Valley volleyball.

The Lakers swept both Wisconsin Parkside and Purdue Northwest in home matches this past week and head coach Jason Johnson is back to tell us all about it.

I just say how are you?

I'm doing well, first home win as you're able to get that done here by way of the sweep us back off a Parkside.

3, 2 sweeps for you was a great week.

It really was.

And again, as we've talked in previous shows finally home for home weekend, not just a single game, but it was great being home.

But our kids played really well.

I thought Friday we took care what we're supposed to and then Saturday played really well.

We're able to get a lot of our roster into the match that haven't seen a lot of playing time throughout the season yet no suitcase snowpack known as 90's.

Haha.

No travel very, very good.

So we'll get a highlight here is it's a Sir.

Wait lead.

You 15 kills and this against Parkside 3 blocks to add a prime us with 8 kills 4 blocks.

You're able to down the 3 o and the attack percentage is very solid throughout.

Yeah, again, you know, I thought our kids played well, I thought they work that we put into our transition offense really paid off throughout the week.

But I thought our service, the past.

It was really good throughout the weekend as well.

We made some changes with her passing.

We adapt and adjust and just a couple little things.

Those are made of personnel change.

We put mckenzie Johnson at libero position.

First time all year freshman in that position.

Little bit shaky early on Friday but settled in nicely later in that match and then played really well on Saturday.

Did you feel like it was good bounce back from the Wayne state last weekend before.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And again, you know, this team has a great resiliency about.

I think all season long.

Our week preparations have been good.

It's a matter of getting it done under pressure when teams kind of push back on you when you they make you uncomfortable, make us do things were not wanting to do.

Get us into more of an ugly match, if you will, where that's where we struggled the most this year.

But when we're able to dictate pace of play.

We were able to feel comfortable on our side of the net were very talented group of kids.

>> Well, you get it done there.

As we say over Wisconsin Parkside 3 in that match.

The second would be produced Northwest as mentioned 3 o in this game.

You commented afterwards against the Purdue Northwest.

You really like the energy offense.

Defense.

How your team responded.

>> Yeah.

Again, we had a lot of different personnel in the game against Purdue.

And during that match, I thought the energy, the communication, the connectivity together was really good.

Depend didn't matter on who was in the game.

What changes we made, what adjustments we're working on.

I felt like they really connected with each other.

Well.

>> That connection and the beginning of the year.

You would.

You would talk about how lot of new faces have to get people to know each other communicate work through that.

>> You feel like that's that's coming along.

Well, yeah.

I think it's coming along really well.

Again, the true Testament is going to be the Saturday when we play against Paris and one of the better teams in the conference and how we handle ourselves when things start going a little sideways because they will against good teams are going to have to find ways to adapt images throughout the different sets of the match.

But yes, I really have been pleased with the growth of our team this year.

Tech percentage is a fantastic against Purdue Northwest, Jordan Gates lead you with 10 kills and this one 15 digs, 2 blocks, Meghan o'sullivan and then we have a mention too much.

7 kills 5 us us.

Yeah.

I think Megan has been coming in as the 2nd half of her 6, 2, offensive hitting person for Rachel Jack way.

So that means Jordan gets an opportunity said her, she's becoming more and more comfortable with her as the season goes along.

And I felt like in a match against Purdue.

Jordan took advantage of Megan on the right side quite a bit.

>> Yeah.

Grande Valley gets it done and out 12 in 5 overall 6, 3, within conference play.

You're touching not at the moments ago out.

You'll have fair state this coming week.

Saturday that will be at home at 2 o'clock.

Yeah.

So it's kind of back to back play here with Ferris at home on Saturday that you've got to make a trip to the lake spear state.

We do.

It's one of those on weekends where we play home and away on the same weekend.

>> So will get fair is a 2 o'clock looking forward to that matchup.

They're leaving the conference right now.

And again, just another opportunity for our kids to measure themselves.

He wore out within the conference and hopefully the as those new regional ranking start coming out a few weeks where we're sitting within the region as well.

But little top turn around.

You know, we've got to get on the road right after the match drive up to see say Murray for a match on Sunday as well.

So it's going to be a quick turnaround once we finish the match against for us to get on a bus.

5 hours North play another game in again challenge our kids to have to preparing a very short turnaround after a long drive.

That's right.

A good time to game plan against both.

You don't have games until matches up until Saturday.

But you have any time at this time of year fundamental worker to go back to basics at all or anything like that.

Well, the last 2 weeks have been nice and obviously being at home where we have some more time.

We're not having to worry about getting on a bus on Thursday to travel where we're going.

So it's giving us a little more preparation time.

So we're trying to take advantage of utilizing that time over the next last week and this week to go back to some of those fundamentals because we can slow things down.

We can take a little bit longer.

We're not worried about having to turn around so quickly for another competition.

So in those on subtle moments, as you know, they'll come, you know, who are the players that step up.

Who are the ones that sure told and everybody looks at.

Yeah.

You know, I think there's a couple different people we lean on pretty heavily both of our senators, Rachel jakway in Jordan Gates Dubai position similar to a quarterback on the offensive side of a football game, you know, have a voice in what happens on the court.

But I think outside of that.

We have a transfer from central Michigan.

Savannah Thompson whose maturity leadership really has to show up in moments like that.

But then it's being able to bring all of those individuals together.

And right now we're we're having to freshman start enough mckenzie stays in.

That will bear a position will be a 3rd freshman on the floor this year.

So they have to learn to manage those emotions manage the anxiety manage the stress that goes on in the match like that.

So yeah, well, it's and a lot of times as fans and media.

We're looking at the physical demands like the athletes.

But there's so much mentally and emotionally isn't there.

There really is.

And and again, like any college athlete this time of year you're starting to get into October, you start and come near mid terms.

So now the way to the academics are piling on.

You're dealing with the expectations of competing for something.

If you have those goals in front of you wanted to be one of the successful teams in your conference in your region.

So those expectations start piling on and that it's it's just that growth of how my feeling, you know, from week to week from a today.

And what is the connection within the team.

How are how I connecting with other players that I'm next to consistently.

Yeah.

There's a lot of demands that are on it more so than just the physical.

Well, it's going to be fun.

Fair state this coming Saturday.

2 o'clock.

We should invest there in Lake state as well Sunday.

Thanks to.

Thanks to appreciate it.

Don't go away.

The Grand Valley.

State sports report will return in a moment.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> The first annual folds of honor collegiate tournament took place at the American dune golf Club last week as the Grand Valley men's golf program and that the event in 11th place getting 7 Division one schools including Air Force Navy cmu Eastern Michigan, army, Virginia, union and Texas.

Other TV issue was the only division 2 program to be invited to the tournament this year.

Charles, the long and drew Coble tied for 14th place for the 3 over in the tournament.

Nick Krueger and Charlie coolly.

Both finished tied for 59th.

Well, Bryce Wheeler end of the tournament tied for 76 the Lakers are playing today in the folds of honor Invitational qualifier for next year's tournament.

I will continue playing into Tuesday event is being held at the Meadows golf course in Allendale [MUSIC] [MUSIC] at the midway point of the regular season.

Grande Valley 6th ring soccer team sits atop ugly acts standings.

>> The Lakers pounded the Davenport Panthers 5 to one their only game of the week.

Head coach keyhole teen joins me now to talk about that when her team's progress so far.

Katie, welcome back.

Thanks.

So yeah, top the of the league standings you get it done.

Just one day.

Yeah, the guy's got a chance to kind of rest a little bit mentally physically that have been cut.

>> It's awesome.

We also got to we've got to rest players on Friday night with 5 goals.

We have the play everyone on our roster.

So there are some hi minute players that we've got to rest quite a bit on Friday and then they got the whole weekend off to just.

>> Locks, which is really nice.

Very nice.

21 to 6 shots advantage for you.

Kennedy Metzger goal enough for our goal.

Kennedy beard and also got a goal.

And then as you say, other players into the mix, too.

Riley o'brien had a goal.

And I'm a shooter.

Yeah, that one?

Yeah.

So lots of different people contributing that has to be good for team around just enjoyment of of coming together and getting the victory.

>> Absolutely.

And I would say to I mean, we I don't know what when it was.

Our first goal, the first like 10 minutes or so.

5.45 1st 5 minutes and we scored the last goal with 3 seconds left on the clock.

So we're able to push through the entire game and produce throughout the whole whole game.

So fun.

>> Does that.

Let me phrase it this way.

How much does it matter to you that your top of the standings in the conference right now.

>> It's a great way to go into the 2nd half of that of conference play since have to play everyone all over again.

We don't have to, I guess play catch up.

But we kind of have to maintain and I think it's hard to beat the same team twice.

So I think will be challenged even more.

The 2nd half of the of conference play.

However, I think we're getting better and better every game.

So and it will be enjoyable to get through it and keep watching us grow.

But I do know it's going to be really challenging some glad we're starting at the top.

>> As a newcomer.

What are your impressions of conference play.

I mean, not to put you on the spot too much, but I know you're making mental notes.

What what stands out to you about this conference.

>> I would say historically, there's a big difference between the top and the bottom seems as though this year that gap us has lessened its a much smaller gap between the top and the bottom.

You might have that that couple the bottom that be down there for a while.

But the rest of the conference.

The top 6 pretty close.

I'm impressed with how much they've closed that sort of gap, I guess throughout the seasons are so a lot more parity.

>> Across the league.

Have Alex beat wanted tool.

We're all 6 o and one with in conference play.

What do you know about your team right now.

2 part question.

What do you know about your team right now.

What are you still waiting to figure out.

>> I know that they're gritty.

I know that they value the history and sort of the the legacy of Grand Valley soccer and they're going to fight tooth and nail for 90 straight minutes.

Regardless.

I do know that.

I think what I'm still waiting to find out is do they have it in them to to pull it out when it really, really matters.

And I truly believe they do.

>> And I think that we're going to see that.

But the 2nd half of the conference play.

So you know, that efforts there waiting to see the execution would have with with stuff on the line, OK. Well, coming up, you're going to have some tough games as you go into that second part of the schedule.

You're at Michigan Tech Friday.

First trip to the U p for you.

So it's a night game up in hotan and that's on Friday.

>> Yeah, we're really excited to.

I'm excited to go up to the MP for the first time.

Apparently it's beautiful.

Playtech Friday night.

They had a really good game plan against us last weekend.

We just played them.

So we'll have to kind of change up our game plan a little bit and then we had to, I guess where we're staying in Marquette.

So we play northern on Sunday.

>> A coach.

It looked ahead and it's decent weather.

All right.

So are you going in superior afterwards.

They can win.

>> Might be on the jury for Saturday.

Little nervous, though.

But I hear it's pretty cold.

Still water cold.

I think it's going to be low to mid 50's.

So, you know, walk out.

I could be a war.

Yeah.

Get what to pack like.

It's there in the same state.

But it's a whole different.

So the climbing up there, yes, will just leave it at that.

>> That the great work you get your game.

The wind 5 to one and atop the conference standings with the 2nd half to unfold.

Thank you, Pat.

Thank you.

We'll be right back.

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

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> That's all the time that we have this week in the Grand Valley State sports report GSU football will hit the road this weekend to take on American International in Springfield, Massachusetts game.

Time is set for 12:00PM with jea issue looking to continue their undefeated season.

TV issue, volleyball splits their weekend at home and on the road.

We'll take on Ferris state in a Saturday afternoon matchup with the jea issue.

Fieldhouse arena for service set for 02:00PM for that.

But then head North and cross the Mackinac bridge for us and a battle against Lake Superior state can Soo Saint Marie perserve to wrap up the weekend is slated for 03:00PM TV issue.

Women's soccer will also make their way north as they take on a pair of ups schools will take on Michigan Tech this Friday at 07:00PM and hope and then head over to Marquette, Michigan on Sunday for a battle against 23rd ranked northern Michigan.

But the kickoff scheduled for 01:00PM.

She issued beat the Wildcats in the first match of the season as both teams sit atop the glee.

AK TV issue cross country will compete in the Bradley pink classic on Friday, October 14th in Peoria, Illinois, to be issued men's golf is hosting the folds of honor qualifier today and tomorrow at the Meadows in Allendale.

The qualifier will determine who will compete in next year's tournament for upcoming games as well as live broadcast of every Laker athletic program, visit TV issue Lakers dot com.

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

Dot com 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 Steve Lloyd.

Jones.

Have a great week.

Laker nation.

And as always, anchor out.

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