Bulldogs Run Winning Streak To Five With 3-1 Decision Over Northwood

Something had to give as both the Ferris State University women's volleyball team and the Northwood Timberwolves entered this Thursday (Nov. 4) evening's Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) contest hoping to extend their four-match winning streaks, but it was the Bulldogs who came out on top in a 3-1 victory (25-18, 17-25, 25-16, 25-15) at FSU's Ewigleben Sports Arena in Big Rapids, Mich.

The extended Ferris State's current winning streak to five as the Bulldogs improve to 16-9 overall and 12-6 in the GLIAC's North Division with the victory.  Northwood falls to 13-11 overall and is now 10-7 in the GLIAC North Division as a result of suffering the setback.

Junior outside hitter Ashley Huntey (Stanwood/Morley-Stanwood) and senior outside hitter Arielle Goodson (Grand Rapids/Central) spearheaded the Bulldogs' offensive effort with a match-high 20 and 12 kills, respectively.  Huntey concluded the match hitting at a .357 clip while Goodson posted a .250 attack percentage for Ferris State, which recorded a .190 hitting efficiency.  Sophomore outside hitter Aly Brecht (Alma) contributed seven kills as the trio accounted for all but one of the team's output.

Directing the Bulldog offense was sophomore setter Samantha Fordyce (DeWitt), who accumulated 36 of FSUs' 37 team assists and added six digs as well.

The Bulldogs dominated in service aces by serving up 11 total to Northwood's four aces.  Arielle Goodson garnered a match-high tying three aces for Ferris State, which improved its home mark to 10-3 this season to date. 

On the defensive side, junior libero Lisa Tobiczyk's (Marysville) 12 digs represented a match high.  Ashley Huntey compiled eight digs while senior libero Dana Ruttle (Reed City) supplied six digs as each team recorded 39 apiece.  FSU was productive at net by chalking up nine total team blocks, which included a block solo and four block assists by Arielle Goodson.  Sophomore middle hitter Anne Sutton (Grand Rapids/Northview) tallied four block assists and Aly Brecht notched three block assists.

Ferris State claimed the first set 25-18 despite being outhit by Northwood .296 to .190.  The two teams were knotted up at 10-all before the Bulldogs went on a 12-2 scoring spurt to take a 1-0 lead.  Ashley Huntey hammered a set-high six kills on nine attempts to lead FSU.

Northwood would pull even with the Bulldogs by prevailing 25-17 in set two.  Ferris State was held to a -.031 hitting percentage as the Timberwolves would go on a 9-1 run (19-10).  FSU would close to within nine points on a couple of occasions but could get no closer.

In the third set, Ferris State bounced back with a good combination of offense and defense.  Offensively, the Bulldogs turned in a .241 hitting percentage while holding Northwood to -.027 efficiency.  The set was relatively close throughout but FSU tallied four consecutive points for the win.  Ashley Huntey netted five kills and Arielle Goodson put down four in the set. 

The fourth set featured momentum swings by both teams as the hosts jumped out to a 10-3 lead before the Timberwolves outscored FSU 7-1 to trail by just a point (11-10).  However, the Bulldogs would go on a 10-2 scoring surge to take a 21-12 advantage.  A service ace by Samantha Fordyce represented the winning point for Ferris, which outhit the visitors .435 to .095 in the match-clinching set. 

Ferris State will wrap up its 2010 regular season this Friday (Nov. 5) at home against the Lake Superior State Lakers in Big Rapids, Mich.  Opening serve is set for noon (EDT) and prior to the GLIAC North Division match, the Bulldogs will recognize their three senior student-athletes - Arielle Goodson, Danielle Hamilton (Galesburg/Galesburg-Augusta), and Dana Ruttle in a special ceremony.