GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following the third week of the 2024-25 women's basketball season. Parkside sophomore Cassidy Arni was honored as GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week while Lake Superior State junior forward Grace Bradford received GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week accolades.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cassidy Arni, Parkside
After posting a career-high 36 points on the road against Minnesota-Duluth, sophomore Cassidy Arni has been named the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week. The accolades keep rolling in for Arni, as this marks the second time in her career that she has received these honors. She first earned the recognition on January 15 during her freshman campaign. Arni's 36-point performance is the most by a Rangers player in a single game since Alyssa Nelson scored 38 against Rockhurst on November 12, 2022. She was absolutely lethal on Monday night, shooting an impressive 15-for-19 from the field, including 3-for-4 from three-point range. Arni also made her presence felt inside, pulling down seven rebounds and recording three steals in 30 minutes of action.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Grace Bradford, Lake Superior State
Grace Bradford’s defensive efforts helped lead the Lakers to their first win of the season this week while contributing to LSSU holding opponents to an average of 56 points per game (49 at Tiffin and 63 at Walsh). On Thursday, Bradford recorded a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double with her rebounding helping to limit the Dragons to only three second chance points. She also proved to be tenacious on defense, recording three steals and a block. Then on Saturday, she protected the rim with three blocks while adding two more steals for a total of four blocks and five steals on the week. In addition, she also contributed 25 points and 8 rebounds to help lead her team to a comeback victory over the Walsh Cavaliers.
HONORABLE MENTION
Offense: Rylie Bisballe (Grand Valley State), Kadyn Blanchard (Ferris State), Grace Bradford (Lake Superior State), Megan McCalla (Saginaw Valley State), Alyssa Nimz (Northern Michigan), Shea Tripp (Wayne State), Jaci Walker (Davenport), Nessa Walsh (Purdue Northwest)
Defense: Rylie Bisballe (Grand Valley State), Kadyn Blanchard (Ferris State), Gabi Lutchka (Wayne State), Lydia Meredith (Saginaw Valley State), Alyssa Nimz (Northern Michigan), Lillie Petersen (Parkside)
