GVSU women: It's our turn
Saturday, March 25, 2006
By Howie Beardsley
The Grand Rapids Press

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. -- Will the glass slipper fit on the foot of American International College?

Or will Grand Valley State University be wearing yet another NCAA Division II crown?

The answer will be revealed tonight, when American International carries a 26-7 record and its Cinderella status into the NCAA Division II women's championship game against streaking Grand Valley (32-3).

American International, which was given little chance at the start of the Elite Eight, will attempt to claim its first national championship in any sport.

The Lakers are riding a school-record 21-game winning streak and seeking the school's fifth national championship since 2001, and its third of the school year.

"(Another GVSU championship) is definitely in the back of our minds," said Lakers center Julia Braseth of East Grand Rapids. "It's something we want to accomplish, too.

"Grand Valley athletics, overall, is a mindset to win. But we know it won't be easy to obtain a win against AIC."

American International is a private school of 1,200 undergraduates located in Springfield, Mass.

"It made me mad when I read in the papers that we were the Cinderella of this tournament, but it also motivated us, so keep calling us that," AIC coach Pete Cinella said.

All-American Sharmion Selman agrees.

"It's made us work harder in this tournament, because we felt we deserved to be here just as much as Grand Valley and the other six teams that were here," said Selman, a senior forward who averages 17.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.

"AIC is very athletic," said Lakers coach Dawn Plitzuweit. "They have great size, they're very disciplined and they throw a lot of things at you.

"We're going to have some great challenges ahead of us."

Grand Valley had little trouble with the University of Charleston (West Va.) during a 74-59 quarterfinal win or Cal State-Chico in a 76-63 semifinal victory.

The Lakers have relied on the foursome of Braseth, two-time All-American forward Niki Reams of Jenison and guards Erika Ryskamp and Byron Center's Crystal Zick.

Braseth has accounted for 18 points and 10 rebounds per game this week.

"They're probably the most athletic team we'll play," Cinella said of Grand Valley.

"Both teams are similar as far as mental and physical toughness, and in being very quick."

Not to mention in playing stifling defense.

Grand Valley has limited its 35 opponents to 53.9 points per game and 37-percent shooting. The Yellow Jackets allow 56.3 points per game and hold teams to 33-percent shooting.

That explains why the Lakers and American International are the only two women's teams left standing in Division II.

"If you really stress defense, and really work at it, this is where it can get you," Plitzuweit said.

"AIC is a great team, and we don't think we're too bad either. So the keys in this game are the same as in any game. Offensively, we have to take care of the ball and get good shots. Defensively, you have to try to slow each other down, and then it's going to be a battle of the boards to see what happens."