GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) revealed the postseason awards for the 2021-22 women's basketball season on Friday afternoon, as voted on by the league coaches. Parkside redshirt junior guard Alyssa Nelson was named the GLIAC Player of the Year, Michigan Tech guard Isabella Lenz was selected freshman of the year and Grand Valley State's Mike Williams was recognized as conference coach of the year. 

PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Alyssa Nelson, R-Jr., Guard, Parkside

Redshirt junior Alyssa Nelson was the star of the show every time she took the court this season, living up to the hype of being named GLIAC Preseason Player of the Year and averaging 20.2 points per game in her 29 appearances. Nelson, who averaged over 32 minutes per game, led the GLIAC in points per game, free throws made, and three-point field goal percentage. She also ended the season with an impressive set of shooting percentages, shooting .514 from the field, .415 on three-point field goals, and .908 from the free-throw line. Nelson broke the Parkside single season scoring record (555 points) on Feb. 26 against Northwood and has set the new record at 586 points.  

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR - Isabella Lenz, Guard, Michigan Tech

Isabella Lenz is the fifth Husky to win GLIAC Freshman of the Year since 1989, joining Ellie Mackay (2019), Katie Wysocky (2007), Sarah Stream (2005), and Dawn Zarling (1991). Lenz’s breakout game came on January 13, when she played 25 minutes and scored 13 points at Northern Michigan. She earned her second career start four nights later and posted a season high 17 points at Purdue Northwest, shooting 6-for-9 from the field with three triples. Lenz again made it to double-figures with 12 points against Parkside on February 5, a game in which she also passed five assists. Lenz is shooting 42.3-percent from the floor with 28 games played and five starts. She also has 23 steals and 42 assists.

COACH OF THE YEAR - Mike Williams, Grand Valley State

Grand Valley State women’s basketball head coach Mike Williams guided the Lakers to a 25-1 regular season mark and their 11th regular-season GLIAC title in program history. The Lakers, ranked #2 in the latest WBCA Coaches’ Poll and first in the NCAA DII Midwest Regional rankings, have won 21 consecutive games, one shy of the school-record 22 set in the 2005-06 National Championship year. GVSU compiled an 18-1 GLIAC record, reeling off 18 straight league wins. Williams has led GVSU to an overall mark of 173-39 (.816) mark in his seven years at the helm, including an 116-24 (.829) GLIAC record. GVSU is 83-8 overall and 55-4 in its last three complete regular seasons of play. Grand Valley State has won 26 or more games in a season five times under Williams and this is his second GLIAC Coach of the Year honor, having also earned the award during the 2019-20.

The First, Second and Defensive All-GLIAC Teams for the 2021-22 women's basketball season are as follows: