ALLENDALE – As the confetti poured down onto the court, Ava Scanlon looked up wide-eyed, trying to soak in the moment.
It was different for Scanlon than most of the Grand Valley State women’s basketball team that repeated as NCAA Division II champions.
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“It was an amazing moment. I feel like I was just in awe of everything,” Scanlon said. “I just wanted to take everything in. It was so different from watching it. I was so happy for them last year, but I was so happy to be involved and do it with this group of girls. It was such an amazing run.”
A run she was a part of, playing in every postseason game.
More: GVSU women’s basketball wins big in Final Four, one win from historic NCAA repeat title
Last year, Scanlon was on the bench, missing the entire season with a knee injury.
But as devastating as it was, she recovered, got back to work and fought her way back onto the court.
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This year, the post player was a pivotal part of the Lakers’ run to a second consecutive national championship.
GVSU’s Ava Scanlon, right, watches the confetti fall after the Lakers won the NCAA Division II national championship on Saturday, March 28.
“Kenzie (Bisballe) and I were on the bench as the time ticked down and we looked at each other and said, ‘Is this really happening?'” Scanlon said. “We were taking in the moment together and getting ready to run onto the court.”
The redshirt sophomore averaged seven points and four rebounds per game, coming up big when needed with 16 points and five rebounds in the Elite Eight win over Carson-Newman and seven points and nine rebounds in the Final Four win over Alabama-Huntsville.
She teamed with Bisballe to form a formidable post duo, what coach Mike Williams called the “Twin Towers.”
GVSU’s Ava Scanlon celebrates winning the NCAA women’s basketball championship.
Scanlon has the knack for getting offensive rebounds. She sees the play and the shots unfolding, knows where to be, and is strong enough and athletic enough to get things done in the paint.
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“Our team is very focused on the overall outcome, not individual performances. Each game I took one by one. I always just think to do whatever I need to do, whether it is a rebound, or helping on defense, the small stuff,” Scanlon said. “Doing my best for my team is what feels best and what matters the most.”
That attitude made her pivotal to this NCAA championship – and it will be huge as Scanlon becomes one of the leaders of this team moving forward, and one of the top post players in the country.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: GVSU’s Ava Scanlon led Lakers to NCAA Division II women’s championship
