Grand Valley favored in GLIAC Women’s Basketball

NMU third, MTU fifth, LSSU 11th

GLIAC — As the start of the 2024-25 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) women’s basketball campaign looms near, the conference office announced its preseason coaches’ poll, player of the year and all-conference teams. 

Grand Valley State (100 points) was selected by the conference coaches as the favorite to claim the 2025 title, receiving 10 first-place votes. Coming off a third straight regular season championship, and their second consecutive tournament championship, the Lakers were 31-3 a year ago and return nearly their entire line-up. The Lakers are ranked No. 3 nationally in the WBCA Preseason Poll.

Ferris State (83 points) was chosen second, receiving one first-place vote. The Bulldogs went 26-6 a year ago, making a magical run to the national semifinals. FSU is ranked No. 15 in the WBCA Preseason Poll.

Northern Michigan (75 points), fresh off a trip to the NCAA Tournament and Round of 32, was tabbed third, followed by Parkside (71 points) in fourth. 

Just two points separated Michigan Tech (68 points) and Wayne State (66 points) voted fifth and sixth, respectively.

Saginaw Valley State (7th, 44), Purdue Northwest (8th, 31), Davenport (9th, 29), GLIAC newcomer Roosevelt (10th, 20) and Lake Superior State (11th, 18) rounded out the 2024-25 poll.

Grand Valley State redshirt senior forward Rylie Bisballe was selected the 2024-25 GLIAC Preseason Player of the Year. Bisballe, the 2024 GLIAC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, also earned All-American honors. She averaged 13.6 points and 7.2 rebounds during the season, recording five double-doubles. In conference play, she upped her production to over 16 points a game, on 53.8%/38.2%/76.1% shooting splits. Bisballe tallied a team-high 38 blocks, adding 40 steals, and 58 assists. 

Joining Bisballe on the All-GLIAC Preseason First Team is Ferris State senior guard Kadyn Blanchard, Grand Valley State redshirt junior guard Nicole Kamin, Michigan Tech senior guard Bella Lenz and Wayne State senior forward Shea Tripp. 

Named to the second team were Parkside sophomore guard Cassidy Arni and senior guard Sheridan Flauger, Davenport senior center Lillee Gustafson, Saginaw Valley State senior guard Aleshia Jones and Northern Michigan junior guard Jacy Weisbrod.

2024-25 GLIAC Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll