Quick hits: Three GVSU athletes earn GLIAC honors

Robbie Triano

GVSU volleyball’s Staci Brower earns GLIAC honors

It was a great weekend for the Grand Valley State volleyball team, which won 3-1 against Ashland Friday, Sept. 15, and 3-0 against Tiffin Saturday, Sept. 16.

One of the major reasons for their dominance was due to junior blocker Staci Brower, whose play on the court was awarded with the GLIAC South Division Player of the Week Monday, Sept. 18. 

During her first match against Ashland, Brower was a force near the net, collecting a game-high 17 kills and assisting on three blocks. Brower continued her success with her spiking game against Tiffin, collecting 11 kills for a .611 hitting percentage, while committing zero errors in 18 attempts.

This the first GVSU volleyball player this season to win the GLIAC South Division Player of the Week and the second time in Brower’s career. Brower was one of two players last season to be recognized, along with sophomore Jayci Suseland. 

After a tough 3-2 loss to Wayne State Tuesday, Sept. 19, the GVSU volleyball team (5-6, 2-1 GLIAC) will face Davenport and Purdue Northwest on the road this upcoming weekend.

GVSU soccer’s Shannon Quinn named GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week

After dropping its first two games of the season, the Grand Valley State women’s soccer team has won four straight to get the season back on track. 

And for the second consecutive week in a row, a Laker has been recognized as GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week for her work in the backfield. This week’s winner is senior defender Shannon Quinn.

Quinn was the anchor for GVSU during the team’s shutout victories over Ashland Friday, Sept. 15, and Tiffin Sunday, Sept. 17. The Laker defense only allowed a total of 13 shots, including five shots on goal during the two matches. 

Quinn is no stranger to accolades, as she was named to the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA), All-American Third Team, D2CCA All-Midwest Region Team and the All-GLIAC First Team last season. 

GVSU (4-2) will look to continue its streak of success against GLIAC rival Saginaw Valley State (4-2) at home Friday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m.

GVSU men’s cross country runner wins GLIAC Men’s Athlete of the Week 

Grand Valley State men’s cross country runner Wuoi Mach was named GLIAC Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week. 

The senior from Grand Rapids was the top Division II finisher, placing third overall with a time of 24:57.8 at the Spartan Invitational in East Lansing Friday, Sept. 15. Although Mach has had a stellar career with the Lakers, this is his first time being recognized as GLIAC Men’s Athlete of the Week.

Last season, Mach placed 48 out of 248 runners at the NCAA Division II National Championship with a time of 31:26. The time was enough to earn Mach a selection on the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region team. Mach was also named to the All-GLIAC First Team selection in 2015.

The GVSU men’s and women’s cross country teams will compete in the Greater Louisville Classic in Louisville, Kentucky, Saturday, Sept. 30.