March 2, 2006

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State University senior forward Niki Reams (Jenison, Mich.) has been selected as the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) women's basketball Player of the Year for the second consecutive season it was announced by the league office Thursday. Reams becomes the first GLIAC women's basketball player to earn consecutive Player of the Year awards since her current coach, GVSU skipper Dawn (Zarling) Plitzuweit, received the same accolades following the 1994 and 1995 seasons. In addition, Reams was selected to the GLIAC North Division First Team and the GLIAC North All-Defensive Team for the second consecutive year.

Grand Valley State junior guard Erika Ryskamp (Schoolcraft, Mich.), junior center Julia Braseth (East Grand Rapids, Mich.) and sophomore guard Crystal Zick (Bryon Center, Mich.) earned All-GLIAC North Second Team honors. Ryskamp and Braseth were repeat members of the All-GLIAC Second Team. Ryskamp was also a repeat selection on the GLIAC North All-Defensive Team.

Reams has turned in an outstanding year, averaging 16.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. She ranks fifth in the GLIAC in scoring, fourth in rebounding, fifth in steals, seventh in blocked shots, eighth in free throw percentage, and 15th in field goal percentage. Reams has scored 1,063 points (17.1 ppg) in 62 career games. She is just the third player in GVSU women's basketball history to score over 1,000 points in just two years (Kim Hansen/Mary Randall). Niki has pulled down 489 rebounds (7.8), dished out 150 assists (2.4), and notched 133 steals (2.1) thus far in her career. Reams was named the GLIAC North Division Player of the Week three times this season.

Zick leads the team in assists (114), while ranking second in scoring (12.1), steals (42) and three-pointers made (40). Crystal has led the team in scoring five times this season. Braseth ranks second on the squad in rebounding (5.8) and third in scoring (11.5). Julia is converting a team-high 49.2 percent from the floor and leads the team in offensive rebounds (76). Ryskamp leads the team in three-pointers made and is second on the squad in assists (104), fourth in scoring (10.5) and third in steals.

Grand Valley State, the defending GLIAC Tournament Champions, will host Gannon University Friday in a GLIAC Tournament semifinal contest at 6 p.m. in the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena.