Oct. 24, 2008

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State University starts off the GLIAC Championships this weekend at the Midland Community Tennis Center in Midland, Mich. The Lakers enter the tournament as the No. 2 seed after losing just one conference match all season. GVSU (8-1) will take on No. 7 seed Saginaw Valley State at 12 noon on Saturday.

The Lakers played the Cardinals in their first match of the season on Sept. 18 and came away with a 9-0 victory. Another win against SVSU would match GVSU up against the winner of the Ashland/Ferris State game. The Lakers blanked FSU 9-0 on Oct. 3 and downed Ashland 8-1 on Oct. 17. A win in the second round would presumably set up a rematch between Grand Valley State and No. 1 seed Northwood on Sunday. The Timberwolves pulled out a close 5-4 victory over GVSU on Oct. 8; the only loss that the Lakers have suffered this season.

In GLIAC play this season, the Lakers have posted a singles record of 49-5 (.907). They have not lost at third, fifth or sixth singles in nine conference matches. Katelyn Schaffer, Jackie Shipman and Darylann Trout all boast perfect 9-0 marks in GLIAC singles play. In doubles, GVSU has put up a 20-7 mark (.741) during conference matches. Trout and Chelsea Johnston have played as a duo in all nine matches and come out with a record of 7-2.