An eight year journey with GVSU volleyball

From left to right: Hilda Deible, Meghan Scanlon,
Megan Walling, and Ruth and Katey Crichton
on Senior Day 2012. 

Volleyball – to most it's a silly game, but to me it signifies opportunity.

For 25 points at a time my world stops. The sidelines are one place that always make me realize that my disability cannot and will not define my life. It's like for a few moments nobody can place limitations upon me.

I'm a firm believer that life isn't about all the things you may never accomplish. Instead, life is about all the opportunities you have in front of you. Even for someone with those beliefs, it was hard see opportunity out a court. Especially, knowing I will probably never walk out on it.

It wasn't until I spent eight years with the Grand Valley State University volleyball program that I even began to understand the magnitude of the opportunity that was front of me.

Cerebral Palsy may alter the way I approach a volleyball court, but it doesn't alter the magic that is college sports. Throughout the past eight years, Laker volleyball has given me the opportunity to experience so many things that student-athletes treasure.

From afar, I experienced the thrill of a national championship, two Elite Eight appearances, a Final Four run, and the milestone of notching 1,000 program victories. More importantly though, I gained a whole new family.

People always ask me if I ever imagine what my life would have been like if I could have played volleyball. While I have thought about it a time or two, I think more about how much I would be missing if things had turned out differently.

If things were different, I would be left without the friendship of 61 student athletes, an incredible coaching staff, and countless families and alums. I would be left without the memories of long road trips, tailgates and all the little things that come along with being part of team. Those are things I wouldn't change for the world.

When I first started this journey, I was simply a fifteen-year-old trying to find a way to stay involved in a game I love. Rolling into the Fieldhouse Arena back in 2005, I never expected that one head coach and one program could change my life. I was wrong.

In sports and in life there are so many opportunities. Every time you step out on the court you are presented with chance to play for something bigger than yourself. You represent your family, friends, hometown, school and all the people along the way that helped you get where you are today.

Thank you to each and every person who has been or is currently involved in GVSU volleyball. Throughout the past eight seasons you couldn't have been a better example of what it means to play for something way bigger than yourself.

To the players that have competed from 2005-2012, whether it was for one season or five, you have all impacted my life for the better. You have reinforced my faith that athletics can bring about opportunities in many different forms and gave me a chance to experience a little piece of Laker volleyball in a way I never thought possible. I am forever grateful for that.

THANK YOU!

Abby Aiken (2011-2012)

Danielle Alexander (2005-2008)

Janelle Beaudry (2007-2008)

Ashley Blaszczak (2009-2011)

Grace Burns (2010)

Stephanie Camper (2012)

Christina Canepa (2011-2012)

Stacey Catalono (2010-2011)

Allyssa DeHaan Clark (2011)

Katey Crichton (2005-2009)

Tina Tromblay Doran (2005)

Abby Ebels (2009-2012)

Sacha Gill (2010-2012)

Cortney Lokker Goodale (2005-2006)

Kaity Gormley (2006-2009)

Carley Gross (2012)

Megan Helsen Hamilton (2005-2006)

Lauren Hanson (2005)

Lindsey Bayle Hardley (2005-2006)

Erica Vande Kopple Heimforth (2005-2007)

Kelly Hogan (2005)

Lyndsey Holt (2011-2012)

Andrea Hyames (2010-2011)

Brittney Jackson (2010)

Cailie Johnson (2010-2011)

Ann Kendzicky (2007-2009)

Tracy Kirk (2005)

Jessica Knysz (2008)

Olivia Kohler (2009-2011)

Krysta Kornack (2006-2010)

Alisha Laing (2012)

Kaleigh Lound (2012)

Sara Lowe (2007)

Jessica Majerle (2012)

Stephanie McCarthy (2006-2007)

Courtney McCotter (2007-2011)

Allyson McKnight Riley (2005-2007)

Mackenzie Mitzner (2010)

Traci Baker Mostrom (2007)

Audrey Oake (2012)

Briana Usitalo Paul (2006)

Sam Phillips (2009-2012)

Jamie Ashmore Pott (2005-2008)

Rebeccah Rapin (2007-2010)

Lauren Reber (2005-2008)

Rachel Rohlfs (2008-2009)

Betsy Ronda (2012)

Clair Ruhenkamp (2011-2012)

Meghan Scanlon (2006-2010)

Megan Schroeder (2011-2012)

Ally Simmons (2011-2012)

Meghan Moore Slater (2005-2006)

Abby Storm (2009)

Whitney Tremain (2008-2009)

Eno Umoh (2008-2012)

Leslie Curtis Veneman (2007-2010)

Megan Walling (2005-2008)

Josie Werner (2012)

Nicole Whiddon (2008-2011)

Alyssa Wolfram (2011-2012)

Meredith Young (2006-2009)

GOOD TIMES ARE A’COMIN’

The Grand Valley State University women’s basketball team logged plenty of miles over the holiday break with a trip to Florida and a pair of conference road games, and at the end of it all, the Lakers are on their first winning streak of the season.

On Saturday, GVSU (7-7, 4-3 GLIAC) traveled to Lake Superior State University and picked up its third straight GLIAC win.

GVL Archive Photo

“I’m really proud,” said GVSU head coach Janel Burgess. “We moved the ball, shot the ball well and everyone bought in. It’s what we’ve so desperately been waiting for.”

The Lakers used long range shooting in the form of eight 3-pointers to sink Lake Superior State University (5-8, 1-5 GLIAC), 74-53.

Forwards Kellie Watson and Briauna Taylor paced the offense from beyond arc, knocking down seven triples between them and adding 16 and 19 points, respectively.

Junior Alex Stelfox, who sunk a buzzer-beating layup in the team’s 50-48 win at Saginaw Valley State University on Thursday, said the Lakers have been working on shooting and moving the ball in practice, which are important elements to maintain a balance on offense.

Senior forward Kara Crawford complimented GVSU’s long range shooting by chipping in with 13 points and six rebounds against Lake Superior State.

“We’ve worked really hard and I think we’re finally in the right mindset,” she said. “As a fifth-year, I couldn’t be more proud of our defensive effort. The games we lost were probably because shots weren’t falling, but now everything is starting to click.”

In Thursday’s game at Saginaw Valley State University (3-10, 1-5 GLIAC), GVSU pulled out a thrilling come from behind victory, capped off by Stelfox late game heroics.

The Lakers overcame a 10-point second-half deficit behind strong defense from Crawford and sophomore guard Breanna Kellogg.

“That was the first buzzer beater I have ever had,” said Stelfox. “The play wasn’t even meant for me, it was supposed to go to Briauna Taylor, but I was open and Kellie Watson gave me the ball. I put a hook shot and it took forever to go down, but I’m glad it did because I didn’t want to go to overtime.”

Prior to the New Year, GVSU defeated defending GLIAC and Midwest Regional Champions and then-No. 7 Michigan Technological University (9-3, 4-2 GLIAC) for the first time in five years.

“It meant a lot to beat Tech, it was a turning point for us,” Crawford said. “I’ve been here for five years and never beat them. That was probably the best game we’ve played all season and it was nice to get a win because we’ve been close so many times.”

Following the marquee victory over the Huskies, GVSU traveled to Florida to take on Florida Southern University (10-4) and the University of Tampa.

Briauna Taylor led the way in both contests in the sunshine state, scoring 22 points against Florida Southern
and 14 against Tampa (7-5). Despite Taylor’s efforts, GVSU lost both contests.

The Lakers will challenge Northwood University on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Fieldhouse Arena.