May 17, 2004

Grand Valley State University volleyball head coach Deanne Scanlon announced the signing of six student-athletes to attend and play volleyball for the Lakers. Danielle Alexander (Newport, Mich./Airport), Jamie Ashmore (LaPorte, Ind./LaPorte), Michele Ehrlich (Bartlett, Ill./Kishwaukee College), Cortney Lokker (Holland, Mich./West Ottawa), Chelsey Meyers (Carleton, Mich./St. Mary's Catholic Central), and Tina Tromblay (Ecorse, Mich/Kellogg Community College) will begin their Grand Valley State careers in the 2004 season.

Alexander, a 5-11 middle blocker, played two years for the Jets of Airport High School. The Jets earned Huron League, District, and Regional Championship honors in her two years, as well as making a state semifinal appearance in 2003 and claiming state runner-up in 2004. Danielle earned all-region plaudits her junior and senior seasons, as well as claiming all-state academic, First Team All-Huron League, third team all-state, and team MVP honors in her final season.

Ashmore, a 5-9 setter, was a four-year starter at LaPorte, setting school records in assists, service aces, set attempts, and games played. Jamie earned Duneland All-Conference honors as a sophomore, junior, and senior, as well as earning conference co-MVP as a junior. She claimed team MVP, second team all-state, Herald Argus Player of the Year, and News Dispatch All-Area plaudits as a junior and senior.

Ehrlich, a 5-8 setter, played for two years for the Cougars of Kishwaukee Community College, earning Arrowhead Conference MVP, first team all-conference, first team all-american, and Second Team AVCA All-American honors in 2003. During her four year career at Bartlett High School, Michele earned all-conference, team MVP, all-academic, and Daily Herald All-Area honors her senior season.

Lokker, a 5-11 outside hitter, played volleyball for four years for the Panthers of West Ottawa High School. Cortney holds the school record for most kills in a season at West Ottawa with 529. In addition, she was named First Team All-OK Conference, team MVP, and team captain her senior season. She also earned Holland Sentinel Dream Team and Zeeland Record All-Area Team honors, as well as McDonalds/Fox 17 New Scholar Athlete plaudits in her final year.

Meyers, a 5-10 outside hitter, earned all-region honors in volleyball and basketball three times during her career at St. Mary's Catholic Central. During the 2003 season, Chelsey earned second team all-state plaudits en route to a sttate championship, in addtion to being named first team all-state in her senior season. She also was part of a state championship track team, where she holds the school records for long jump and the 1600 meter relay.

Tromblay, a 5-8 outside hitter, played for two years at Kellogg Community College where she earned first team all-conference, first team all-region and player of the year, and first team all-american honors in 2002 and 2003. She joined the GVSU squad after the season and competed as a Laker for the spring season. Tina was a three-year participant at Theodore Roosevelt High School. During her senior season with the Bears, she claimed all-area, all-district, all-region, and all-state honorable mention plaudits.

"Tina and Michele will have an immediate impact for us this season" said Head Coach Deanne Scanlon. "They both earned All-American honors at the junior college level, and we expect them to contribute early on in the season." Scanlon also commented on the incoming freshman and their place in the Laker volleyball program. "Our freshman are very athletic and fit in well with the team. Hopefully this will make the transition into college athletics a little easier. I am hopeful that each will make a solid contribution throughout the season."