ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Grand Valley State women's lacrosse team and head coach Mackenzie Lawler announce the addition of nine players for the 2021-22 season.  The signing class includes three attackers, three defenders, a pair of midfielders and a goalkeeper. 
 
"I am incredibly excited about this group of young women to be our Class of 2025 at Grand Valley State," said coach Lawler.  "We are proud of the class we assembled and know they will help us elevate the program on and off the field.  They are an energetic group that is engaged in their communities, focused in the classroom and determined to bring championships to GVSU lacrosse."
 
Attackers
 
Elizabeth Bernard – Elmhurst, Ill. – York HS
Having started every York varsity game in her high school career, Bernard led York to back-to-back Regional Championships in 2018 and 2019.  The Illinois native was named a 2021 team captain and is a member of the True Illinois 2021 State AA club team.  In 2018, Bernard led the West Suburban Conference in assists and earned All-Conference honors. 
 
Coach Lawler on Bernard
"Ellie's length, power shot and ability to finish in traffic will be a great addition to our offensive unit.  We are excited to work with her as a versatile attacker who can play behind, inside and up top in our systems.  Ellie also brings a very high lacrosse IQ that will help elevate the players around her."
 
Chloe Dunham – Rockford, Mich. – Rockford HS
In her first two seasons, Dunham helped lead Rockford to back-to-back perfect seasons having captured the Conference, Regional and State titles.  Additionally, the Michigan native and team captured the Northstar Lacrosse Showcase title in Lake Placid. 
 
Coach Lawler on Dunham
"As a local player, we are excited to bring in another talent from the powerhouse program of Rockford.  Chloe is a disciplined, team-focused attacker who does all of the little plays that help win games.  Coming from such a dynasty high school program, Chloe knows what it takes to compete for a championship."
 
Brooke Wathen – Louisville, Ky. – Kentucky Country Day School/duPont Manual HS
As a sophomore, Wathen earned First Team All-State honors for duPont Manual and was named a finalist for the Kentucky Miss Lacrosse award.  The Kentucky native was crowned the Attacker of the Year and team MVP following her junior season. 
 
Coach Lawler on Wathen
"Brooke's ability as a dual threat crease attacker and a dominate force on the draw are important pieces for our offense.  She'll keep defenses on their toes with her skilled dodging and vision to find her open teammates.  Brooke is an ultra-competitor who will flourish at the next level."
 
Defenders
 
Isabella DeRegis – Syracuse, N.Y. – Christian Brothers HS
A three-time team MVP, DeRegis helped lead Christian Brothers to capture the 2018 State Championship.  The New York native garnered First Team All-League Defense honors and was named captain for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.  Off the field, DeRegis was elected as the only student to be named to the Executive Reopening Subcommittee regarding COVID-19 and is a member of the Spanish and Multicultural clubs. 
 
Coach Lawler on DeRegis
"Bella is an impact defender who can consistently cause turnovers for the defensive unit.  She has an amazing ability to track the ball to come up with interceptions and knockdowns which will be a great fit for our team as we push our defense to play in a more aggressive style.  We love Bella's competitiveness and know it will bring toughness to our team."
 
Sema Hasanof – Lake Zurich, Ill. – Lake Zurich HS
Entering her final season at Lake Zurich, Hasanof is coming off a sophomore season in which she posted All-Conference honors.  Hasanof has been a member of True Illinois for over five years and was named to the 2021 True Lacrosse State team. 
 
Coach Lawler on Hasanof
"Sema is a very high energy, positive and encouraging teammate.  We noticed this the first time we worked with her at a recruiting clinic.  She is incredibly coachable and excited to improve her defensive game while playing at the next level of lacrosse."
 
Karleigh Rothe – Dublin, Ohio – Dublin Scioto HS
Rothe is coming off a 2019 campaign in which she earned First Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-Region honors for posting 23 draw controls, 29 interceptions and causing 62 turnovers.  The Ohio native competed for the U19 Mexico National Team during the 2019 World Lacrosse Tournament and was named the MVP in the team's final game against Korea.  Rothe accounted for 11 goals, 22 draw controls and 30 ground balls during the tournament.  A National Society of High School Scholars member, Rothe will complete her final year as a 12-sport athlete. 
 
Coach Lawler on Rothe
"Karleigh in an incredible athlete who takes pride in her defensive skills.  Her footwork, length and physical play will allow her to be a matchup defender early in her career.  Karleigh is one of the most genuine teammates; her positivity and energy will be a perfect fit in our team culture."
 
Midfielders
 
Ashleigh Rothe – Dublin, Ohio – Dublin Scioto HS
Rothe enters her fourth year at the varsity level for Dublin Scioto and comes off a prolific 2019 season where she recorded 80 goals, 151 ground balls and 131 draw controls.  Additionally, the Ohio native earned First Team All-State and Team MVP honors following the 2019 season.  A member of the 2019 U19 Mexico National Team, Rothe finished the U19 World Lacrosse Tournament with 22 goals, ranking ninth out of 388 players.  Rothe is a 12-sport athlete and member of the National Society of High School Scholars. 
 
Coach Lawler on Rothe
"Similar to her sister, Ashleigh is a phenomenal athlete that will make an immediate impact in our midfield.  Her passion for lacrosse motivates her to constantly improve, which was something that was evident in her work ethic throughout the recruiting process.  Ashleigh brings the unique experience of playing international lacrosse for the Mexico U19 team where she competed against some of the best young players in the world."
 
Zoe Ziegler – Lansing, Mich. – Okemos HS
A four-year varsity member at Okemos, Ziegler helped lead the Chiefs to back-to-back conference championships, Michigan Region 8 championships and Division 2 State appearances.  The Lansing native was named to the 2019 Lansing State Journal Dream Team and earned the 2019 Lansing State Journal Player of the Year honor after netting 62 goals, winning 68 draw controls and handing out 27 assists.  Ziegler competed for the China National Team in the 2019 U19 World Lacrosse Championship and will again represent China in the 2021 World Championship.  Ziegler was elected Student Body Vice President and is a member of the Science Olympiad. 
 
Coach Lawler on Ziegler
"As another Michigan player, I have known Zoe since she first started playing lacrosse.  Her work ethic, discipline and focus push her on and off the field to be her very best.  She is a smart player who makes all of the little plays in transition that are essential to a team's success."
 
Goalkeeper
 
Kaylyn Cater – Chanhassen, Minn. – Chanhassen HS
A two-year captain at Chanhassen, Cater enters her senior season with All-Conference, All-Section and All-State honors under her belt.  The senior goalkeeper led her team to back-to-back conference championships in 2018-19, recording more than 110 saves through 15 or more games in both seasons.  Cater is a National Honor Society member and was a part of the Chanhassen choir for two years. 
 
Coach Lawler on Cater
"Kaylyn is an effective communicator who will be ready to lead our defensive unit from the goal.  Her athletic style of play will complement the goalies above her on the roster and allow us to be unique with how we use our goalies outside the crease.  She is a very positive and uplifting teammate who knows what to say to her teammates when feedback is needed."
 
GVSU boasted a 3-1 record before the 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Lakers' lone loss came to then-ranked No. 9 Indianapolis, 14-11, at the start of the season, followed by a three-game winning streak that included a win over No. 3 Lindenwood, 16-13.  GVSU ended the 2020 season as the No. 10 ranked team in the country.