Quick hits: Detroit Lions sign former GVSU lineman, volleyball splits weekend series

Robbie Triano

Former GVSU offensive lineman signs with Detroit Lions

The journey to not only make an NFL roster but also to have a sustained career is a feat only the best in the league can accomplish, especially when you’re coming from a Division II program. 

Former Grand Valley State football offensive lineman Tim Lelito found himself another job after the Detroit Lions signed the four-year veteran Tuesday, Sept. 26.

Lelito was a member of the GVSU football team from 2007 to 2011. During his senior year, Lelito was awarded a First Team All-GLIAC selection and donned GVSU Offensive Lineman of the Year. That season, the Lakers led the GLIAC in rushing (226.4 yards per game), total offense (467.5 yards per game) and scoring (42.3 points per game).

After the injuries to centers Travis Swanson and Joe Dahl, the Lions signed the 6-foot-4-inch, 315-pound GVSU alumnus to fill the open spots in the offensive line. Lelito has played in 63 games at guard and center for the New Orleans Saints, and he made 24 starts.

GVSU volleyball splits road weekend series against GLIAC opponents

The Grand Valley State volleyball team (6-7, 3-2 GLIAC) finished 1-1 during a weekend series against Davenport University (7-5, 3-1 GLIAC) Friday, Sept. 22, and Purdue Northwest (4-10, 1-4 GLIAC) Saturday, Sept. 23.

The Lakers fell to Davenport in a closely contested five-set match, going all the way to the tiebreaker in the fifth set when Davenport won the set 16-14 to give them the 3-2 overall victory Friday, Sept. 22, at Davenport. Sydney Doby led the offensive attack with a team-high 20 kills. Teammate Staci Brower finished the night with 16 kills and four blocks, while setter Katie Olson tallied 50 assists.

The next night against Purdue Northwest, the Lakers brought their A-game, sweeping the Pride in three sets (25-14, 25-21, 25-19). All tying with the game high in kills were Doby, Brower and Shannon Winicki with 10 kills each. Olson finished the night with 26 assists. 

The Lakers continue their stretch against GLIAC opponents Friday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. against Michigan Tech and Saturday, Sept. 30, at 4 p.m. against Northern Michigan University. Both games will be held in the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena.

GVSU shooting club competes in CMP Monthly Match

Two members from the Grand Valley State shooting club competed in the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s Monthly Match at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center in Ohio Saturday, Sept. 16.

The match included 46 participants from various other schools around the county. Competition consists of 60 total shots fired from the standing position at 10 meters.

Sophomore Joseph Lentine finished 16th overall with a total score of 580.2 (out of 654) to lead the Lakers in overall scoring during his first match of the semester. Lentine had a high target of 100.2 (out of 109).

Junior Christian Yap finished the competition in 29th place overall. Yap shot a final score of 567.5 (out of 654), while also accomplishing a top target of 97.9 (out of 109).

Up next, the Lakers will be competing in the September Orion Virtual Matches. The date and event time has yet to be released.