FSU Volleyball Falls 3-1 To Wayne State (Neb.)

The Ferris State University women's volleyball team had its three-match winning streak come to an end this Saturday (Sept. 5) morning as the Bulldogs dropped a 3-1 decision (17-25, 25-17, 23-25, 16-25) to Wayne State (Neb.) at the St. Cloud State Tournament in St. Cloud, Minn. 

Ferris State, which was coming off an upset victory over nationally fifth-ranked Nebraska-Kearney last night, dropped the opening set 25-17 to the Wildcats at SCSU's Halenbeck Hall.  The first set consisted of 10 tied scores and five lead changes.  Wayne State (Neb.) recorded four straight kills to close out the set.

FSU was able to even up the match at 1-1 by prevailing 25-17 in set two as the Bulldogs hit .385 with 20 kills in 39 attempts while holding the Wildcats to a .194 hitting percentage with nine kills in 31 chances.  Ferris snapped a seven-all tie on senior middle hitter Kristy Gilchrist's (Macomb/Anchor Bay) kill and never looked back the rest of the way.

 The third set was a close one throughout as evidenced by 11 ties and five lead changes.  FSU took a 23-22 lead on a Wildcats' attack error but Tali Frederickson kill evened up the score at 23-apiece.  The Bulldogs then committed back-to-back attack errors to give WSC the set.

Wayne State (Neb.) controlled play in the fourth set as the Bulldogs would get within three points (18-15) on junior middle hitter Arielle Goodson's (Grand Rapid/Central) kill.  However, the Wildcats proceeded to outscore Ferris, 7-1, down the stretch to seal the match decision.

Goodson's 13 kills was tops for Ferris State, which hit .182 for the contest.  A trio of seniors Katie Edwards (Cedar Springs), Sarah Lark (Alma), and Kristy Gilchrist all produced nine kills apiece.  Edwards also accounted for five of the team's nine service aces.  Redshirt freshman setter Samantha Fordyce (DeWitt) totaled a match-high tying 42 assists to go with eight digs. 

Sophomore libero Lisa Tobiczyk (Marysville) paced the Bulldogs with 15 digs and sophomore outside hitter Ashley Huntey (Stanwood/Morley-Stanwood) dug up nine balls against Wayne State, which posted a .254 hitting percentage in the non-league encounter. 

At the net, Goodson and Lark each recorded a block solo and three block assists in the first-ever series matchup between the two teams.

Ferris State will close out action at the St. Cloud State Tournament versus Missouri S&T later this afternoon.  Opening serve is set for 12:30 p.m. (EDT).