March 4, 2010

Houghton, Mich. - Grand Valley State center Alex Stelfox was named the GLIAC Freshman of the Year and earned North Division All-Defensive Team honors, while teammate Emma Veach was selected to the All-GLIAC North Division First Team on Thursday night (Mar. 4) at the GLIAC Final Four Banquet in Houghton, Mich. GVSU has the last two Freshman of the Year winners, with Veach taking home the award last season.

Stelfox joins Veach (2009) and the all-time leading scorer in GVSU history, Mary Randall (1997), as the three Lakers to be named the conference's Freshman of the Year. The 6'2" freshman leads Grand Valley State in scoring (12.0), field goal percentage (56.2), and blocked shots (40). She ranks third in the GLIAC in field goal percentage and in total blocks, while her scoring average is 15th best in the league. Stelfox has scored in double figures in 21 of 27 regular season games, while leading GVSU in scoring in 10 games this year. Her 40 blocked shots are tied for the ninth most in a single season in Grand Valley State history, while she blocked a shot in 23 of 27 regular season contests. Stelfox's 40 blocks are the most at GVSU in six years.

Named to the All-GLIAC North Division Second Team last season, Veach earned top honors this year, as the only player outside of Michigan Tech to be named to the North Division First Team. Veach leads the Lakers in rebounding (5.7 rpg.) and is second on the team in scoring (11.4 ppg.), assists (108), field goal percentage (51.3), and steals (48). She ranks second in the GLIAC in assist/turnover ratio (2.1), sixth in assists, 10th in rebounds and steals, and 19th in scoring. Veach totaled four double-doubles this season and scored in double figures in 16 games, including a pair of games of 20+ points.

Along with Stelfox winning the GLIAC Freshman of the Year award, Michigan Tech took home the other two prestigious honors. MTU head coach John Barnes was named the GLIAC Coach of the Year, while senior forward Katie Wysocky was tabbed as the league's Player of the Year.