Oct. 7, 2009

Allendale, Mich. - In the first Division II Bulletin poll of the 2009-10 season, Grand Valley State's women's basketball team was picked 13th in the season preview issue. The Lakers are one of two GLIAC teams ranked in the top-25 and has one of the strongest regions, as four Midwest Region schools are ranked in the preview.

GLIAC rival Michigan Tech is picked as the #1 team in the country, as the Huskies return all five starters from last season. The two teams will meet twice this season, as MTU will travel to Allendale for a Jan. 28 match-up. GVSU will head to the Upper Peninsula on Feb. 13 to complete the season series.

Franklin Pierce is ranked second in the poll, while Delta State, Indianapolis, and California (PA) round out the top five schools. Northern Kentucky, which defeated the Lakers in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament last season, is picked 18th.

Grand Valley State returns four starters and eight letterwinners to a team that went 20-10 last year and 15-7 in league play. The Lakers finished second in the North Division and won 20 games for the fourth time in the last five seasons. GVSU brings back a pair of sophomore guards that both scored over a dozen points per game, as shooting guard Emma Veach (13.5 ppg.) and point guard Jasmine Padin (12.6 ppg.) lead the youthful Lakers (just one senior) into the 2009-10 season.