March 7, 2003

Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. - Grand Valley State University head women's basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit was named the 2002-03 GLIAC Women's Basketball Coach of the Year it was announced Thursday (March 6) night in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. at a GLIAC Tournament banquet. In addition, junior center Julie Zeeff earned First-Team All-GLIAC North plaudits, while senior guard Laurie Rehmann was named to the All-GLIAC North Second-Team and the GLIAC North All-Defensive Team.

Plitzuweit has guided the Lakers to an impressive record of 23-5 overall, including a 13-5 mark in GLIAC action. GVSU finished second in the North Division after being picked to finish fourth in the preseason coaches poll. GVSU set the school records for regular season wins (22), and overall wins (23), while surpassing the team's victory total the last two seasons combined (20). Under Plitzuweit, the Lakers have held opponents to a GLIAC best 56.2 points per game.

Zeeff, who leads Grand Valley State in scoring (16.3) and rebounding (7.8), was named to the first-team after earning second-team honors a year ago. Zeeff bettered the GVSU single-season record for blocked shots (84) that she set a year ago and has scored in double figures in 26 games this season. Rehmann picked up her second All-GLIAC plaudit in as many years. A first-team honoree a year ago, Rehmann is averaging 13.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. In addition, Rehmann was named to the GLIAC North All-Defensive team for the second straight year after notching 47 steals.