March 4, 2007

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State will open its defense of the 2006 NCAA DII Women's Basketball National Championship as the number three seed in the Great Lakes Region. The Lakers are making their third straight NCAA DII appearance under head coach Dawn Plitzuweit and the fourth in Plitzuweit's five years. In addition to the 2006 National Championship, the Lakers advanced to the Elite Eight in 2006 as the Great Lakes Regional Champions. The Great Lakes Regional will be held at top seeded Lewis University. Action will begin Friday afternoon and game times will be announced Monday.

#3 GVSU (21-7) will open the 2007 tourney versus GLIAC rival and #6 seeded Gannon University. Gannon claimed the 2007 GLIAC Tournament title with an 88-77 victory over Hillsdale Saturday night in Erie, Pa. Gannon (24-5) claimed a 69-60 victory over Grand Valley State in Erie Jan. 22. The Lakers hold a 10-5 advantage in the all-time series versus the Golden Knights.

"We are excited to be back in the NCAA Tournament," said head coach Dawn Plitzuweit. "It is exciting anytime you hear you name announced as one of 64 teams still playing basketball and we will begin our preparation Monday morning," added Plitzuweit.

Lewis is the top seed and will play #8 Bellarmine. #4 Drury will play #5 Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. Opposite GVSU in the bottom half of the bracket is #2 Northern Kentucky versus #7 Ferris State.

GVSU is making its eighth NCAA DII National Tournament appearance in school history, and its fourth under Plitzuweit. The Lakers are 9-2 in NCAA Tournament action under Plitzuweit.

For complete tournament information, including tickets, please click on the link: Regional Tournament Information