CHICAGO – Former Grand Valley State standout Ava Cook has been called up to the United States Under-23 Women's Youth National Team for their upcoming Three-Nations Tournament. She will join a 21-woman roster that travels to face host Sweden and India's U-23 teams at the end of the month.
 
Cook, a 2019 National Champion, four-year letter winner with the Lakers and 2021 GVSU graduate, is looking to become the first former Laker to earn a cap on the world stage. She's the second former Laker to have ties to the United States U-23 team after 2016 graduate Marti Corby was a training camp invitee following her graduation from GVSU.
 
"First and foremost, I'm beyond honored to receive this incredible opportunity," Cook said via press release from the Chicago Red Stars. "I am humbled for the chance to play alongside and against some of the best players in world at the top level, and more excited to learn from those around me!"
 
Cook graduated with her name stamped all over the GVSU record book; ranking fourth in total points (183) and third in points per game (2.18), third in goals (76), 11^th in assists (31), sixth in game-winning goals (17). Her 69 points in 2019 were the fifth-most in a single season as she led the Lakers to their sixth national championship. She was also the team points leader in 2018 to lead the Lakers to a national runner-up finish before the redemption season in 2019. Her final goal as a Laker was the game-winner in the COVID-forced Spring 2021 season's GLIAC Tournament Championship game.
 
Following her graduation from Grand Valley State, Cook spent one season at Michigan State University where she was an All-B1G performer. She was then selected by the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) with the 18^th overall pick of the 2022 draft and has made an immediate impact, contributing a goal and NWSL-high three assists in eight matches played so far this season.