Nov. 14, 2003

Battle Creek, Mich. - Grand Valley State senior middle blocker Sabrina Bird was named the 2003 GLIAC Player of the Year it was announced Thursday at the GLIAC Tournament in Battle Creek, Mich. The voting was conducted among the GLIAC coaches. In addition, senior setter Nicole Bayle was named First-Team All-GLIAC for the second straight year.

Bird, who was also a First-Team All-GLIAC honoree, ranked third in the GLIAC with a .374 attack percentage. She tallied 70 aces this season and her 0.62 aces per game average also ranks third in the league. A 2002 All-GLIAC Second-Team performer, Bird led #22 GVSU to a second place finish in the North Division (16-2). She has been named GLIAC Player of the Week three times this season, leading the Lakers in kills (377), service aces (70), solo blocks (22) and assisted blocks (99). Her 306 assisted blocks ranks fifth in GVSU annals.

Bayle earned All-GLIAC First-Team honors for a second straight year. The 2002 AVCA First-Team All-American has 1,173 assists, 192 kills, 50 service aces, and a team-best .368 hitting percnetage this season.

Grand Valley State is 117-18 during the four-year career's of Bird and Bayle, including three Great Lakes Regional Championships and two final fours.

GVSU (25-6) will play Findlay on Friday (7:30 p.m.) in semifinal round action at the GLIAC Tournament in Battle Creek, Mich.