2024 Grand Valley State Softball Preview

The Grand Valley State softball team was selected to finish in first place in the GLIAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll announced by the conference. The Lakers are entering the 2024 season as the reigning GLIAC Regular Season Champions and are coming off their magical run as the national runners-up at the Softball World Series.

Head coach Dana Callihan will begin her 10th season at the helm of the GVSU program. Callihan has posted a 352-96 overall record and has been named the GLIAC Coach of the Year over the last six consecutive seasons. The Lakers advanced to the DII National Championship Series at the College World Series last year under the guidance of Callihan for just the second time in program history.

Despite losing two All-American’s in Hannah Beatus and Lydia Goble, the Lakers return plenty of fire power that have experience at the national stage. GVSU returns six players that started at least one game at the College World Series last season. First team All-GLIAC performer Morgan Spicer returns for her junior season. Spicer appeared and started in all 56 games last year
notching 48 hits, 29 runs batted in, and 26 runs scored. The Lakers also return All-GLIAC performers Eliana Eiland, Kelsey Komorous, Ashley Platek, Hannah Hollister, and Megan Koenigshof.

The Lakers also return MaryJane Goodman who appeared in 30 games last season and Liberti Fair who started in the National Championship Series and appeared in 27 games making 22
starts. GVSU also welcomes seven freshmen to Allendale this spring that will look to make an impact this season.

As the new-look Lakers look to begin the 2024 season, they will rely on key veterans with experience at the national stage blended with new coming talent to remain a national powerhouse. GVSU will begin the season at the Lincoln Memorial Tournament in Harrogate, Tennessee beginning on February 17 th . The Lakers will face Ohio Dominican in the first game at 10:00 AM.