Andy Ayrault Assistant Coach | Wayne State University Athletics Website
Andy Ayrault Assistant Coach | Wayne State University Athletics Website
The Wayne State University women's basketball team is preparing for a crucial match against Grand Valley State in the semifinals of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament. The Warriors, who recently secured a 65-52 victory over Parkside, are riding a wave of success with four consecutive wins and triumphs in 10 out of their last 13 games.
A win against Grand Valley State would propel Wayne State to the GLIAC Tournament Championship, where they would face either Northern Michigan or Ferris State. The upcoming semifinal clash presents a challenging task as Grand Valley holds a strong record in head-to-head encounters, leading the all-time series 64-26 and having won both prior GLIAC Tournament meetings against Wayne State.
Grand Valley State concluded their regular season with an impressive 29-2 record and continued their form by defeating Michigan Tech in the quarterfinals. Key players for Grand Valley include Rylie Bisballe, named GLIAC Player of the Year, who averages 13.6 points per game and leads her team in rebounds. MacKenzie Bisballe also contributes significantly with an average of 10.1 points per game and a team-high 47 blocked shots.
Wayne State's schedule ranks as one of the toughest nationally within Division II basketball. Senior forward Shea Tripp has been instrumental for Wayne State, ranking among active Division II players for career steals and assists while surpassing notable milestones in points and rebounds. Taylor Thompson also stands out nationally for offensive rebounds.
Both Tripp and Thompson have earned recognition from the GLIAC; Tripp was voted to the All-GLIAC First Team while Thompson received Second Team honors alongside being named to the All-Defensive Team.
Head coach Carrie Lohr marks her eighth straight season leading Wayne State into the GLIAC Tournament, boasting six qualifications over her tenure. Under her guidance, Wayne State aims to improve its tournament performance after accumulating a mixed record over recent years.
Additionally, Shea Tripp is recognized as one of three national female finalists for the John Wooden Citizen Cup awarded by Athletes for a Better World.
In regional rankings released by NCAA on March 5th, five GLIAC teams including Grand Valley (1), Northern Michigan (3), Wayne State (6), Ferris State (8), and Parkside (10) were listed among top contenders in the Midwest Region. The region's No. 1 seed will host key tournament matches from March 14-17.
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