GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following the ninth week of the 2024-25 women's basketball season. Ferris State Kenzie Bowers senior guard was named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week while Parkside sophomore forward Cassidy Arni received GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Kenzie Bowers, Ferris State
Ferris State University senior guard Kenzie Bowers stepped up for the Bulldogs over the weekend as FSU earned a conference home split versus West Michigan rivals Grand Valley State and Davenport inside Jim Wink Arena. Bowers tallied a team-high 31 points, 17 rebounds, 11 assists and eight steals in the two games as FSU moved to 11-4 overall and 5-1 in the GLIAC without leading scorer Kadyn Blanchard in the lineup. Bowers notched a team-high 19 points with seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in FSU’s setback to nationally top-ranked GVSU on Thursday and then came back to total 12 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and six steals in an impressive all-around game as Ferris State dominated DU on Saturday. For the weekend, she averaged 15.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 4.0 steals.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cassidy Arni, Parkside
After a perfect 3-0 week on the road, Cassidy Arni of the Parkside Rangers earned GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors. This marks the third time in Arni’s young career that she has been selected as a Player of the Week, but it is the first recognition for her defensive efforts. Arni began the week with a standout performance on Monday night against Roosevelt. She notched three steals and a block, leading the defensive charge as Parkside held Roosevelt to just 46 points at home. Arni also dominated the boards, pulling down eight rebounds in the game. The Rangers carried their momentum into Thursday night’s matchup against Wayne State. Arni delivered another strong performance, recording three steals and securing five rebounds. Her efforts helped Parkside hold Wayne State to just 64 points, securing a crucial road victory.
Arni capped off her impressive week on Saturday as Parkside limited Saginaw Valley State—a team averaging over 80 points per game—to just 60 points. She collected eight rebounds in 29 minutes, further solidifying her Defensive Player of the Week credentials.
HONORABLE MENTION
Offense: Cassidy Arni (Parkside), Rylie Bisballe (Grand Valley State), Grace Bradford (Lake Superior State), McKenna Ferguson (Wayne State), Abi Fraaza (Northern Michigan), Megan McCalla (Saginaw Valley State)
Defense: Kenzie Bowers (Ferris State), Grace Bradford (Lake Superior State), Mackenzie Holzwart (Northern Michigan), Ava Locklear (Saginaw Valley State), Marie Outlay (Roosevelt), Shea Tripp (Wayne State)
