#21 Bulldogs Score Impressive Home Sweep Over Ashland

Big Rapids, Mich. - Nationally 21st-ranked Ferris State University scored an impressive win on Friday (Oct. 5) night as the Bulldogs swept Ashland 3-0 in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) women's volleyball action inside the Ewigleben Sports Arena.

The Bulldogs won the first set 25-20 before pulling out a 25-12 triumph in the second frame followed by a close 26-24 decision in the third and final set.  AU had entered the match with a 13-2 overall record and both teams were 6-1 in league play coming into the contest.

Ferris State hit only .162 in the first set, but came back to record an impressive .429 showing in the second set.  The Bulldogs hit .222 in set three to finish with a .257 attack percentage on the night.  FSU had only 11 errors on 101 total attacks.

The Bulldogs had a balanced offensive attack as three players recorded a team-high nine kills each in senior middle hitter Anne Sutton, sophomore outside hitter Courtney Rehm and senior outside hitter Aly Brecht.  Overall, FSU netted 37 kills in the contest as did the Eagles.

Senior setter Samantha Fordyce tallied 31 assists for the Bulldogs and added a team-high 14 digs in the match.  Senior defensive specialist Paige Wyers posted 10 digs and junior libero Brandie Merren had nine in the winning effort.

FSU also received three solo blocks from Rehm as part of its seven team blocks in the contest.  Ferris State finished with 50 digs and three service aces to go with three errors from the service line.

Meanwhile, Brittany Snider paced the visiting Eagles with a match-high 16 kills.  Ashland was limited to a .060 attack percentage, which included a -.029 showing in the second set.

Crystal Elliot had 32 assists for Aslahnd while Marci Zagarac contributed a team-best 11 digs.

The Eagles concluded the match with 44 digs, five blocks and four service aces while netting five service errors.

The win was the seven consecutive victory this campaign for the Bulldogs, who improved to 13-3 overall and 7-1 in conference play.  AU fell to 13-3 overall and 6-2 in the GLIAC.

The Bulldogs wrap up the two-match weekend homestand by hosting Lake Erie on Saturday (Oct. 6) afternoon starting at 3 p.m. (ET) in Big Rapids.

The Bulldogs will continue to celebrate their 40th season of intercollegiate volleyball by recognizing the 25th anniversary of the 1987 NCAA Division II Final Four team on Saturday between the second and third sets.  Members of the '87 Bulldogs will be on hand for the presentation.