#3 Bulldogs Rout Lakers To Advance To GLIAC Tournament Championship Match

Big Rapids, Mich. – The Ferris State University women's volleyball team, ranked third in the nation, advanced to the 2015 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament Championship match by beating archrival Grand Valley State in a 3-0 semifinal sweep on Saturday (Nov. 21) at FSU's Ewigleben Sports Arena.

The Bulldogs claimed their first 30-win campaign since 1990 by topping the Lakers in a 25-22, 25-22, 25-11 victory. The win was FSU's third over GVSU in as many matchups this season.       

It was all Ferris State in the league semifinal on FSU's home floor as the Bulldogs sunk the Lakers with a powerful third set when they hit .298 to Grand Valley's .044.         

Senior outside hitter Megan Vander Meer led the Bulldog attack with 12 kills while senior middle hitter Caroline Heitzman had 11 kills and hit .345 on the day, which was the best among the Bulldogs' with 20 or more chances.            

Defensively, five Bulldogs finished with 11 or more digs to muffle the Laker attack. Senior libero Danielle Dowd led the way with 17 while Vander Meer and senior outside hitter Alexis Huntey had 15 apiece. Freshman outside hitter Katie Placek netted 13 digs and junior setter Stephanie Sikorski finished with 11.            

Sophomore middle hitter Ayanna Buckley also produced with a team-best three block assists. Overall, the Bulldogs netted eight blocks to six for the Lakers.            

Sikorski continued her career-season with a match-high 31 assists.            

Following the match, the Bulldogs garnered several postseason accolades as All-GLIAC teams were announced by the league office.          

Bulldog head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm was named GLIAC Coach of the Year with Vander Meer garnering Player of the Year and Attacker of the Year accolades. Finally, Sikorski nabbed Setter of the Year laurels as well.            

Both Vander Meer and Sikorski were named to the All-GLIAC First Team. Huntey, Dowd and Heitzman each nabbed All-GLIAC Second Team honors with Buckley being chosen to the All-GLIAC Honorable Mention squad.

The Bulldogs moved to 30-2 on the season with the semifinal victory and it marks the first 30-win season of Brandel-Wilhelm's career.

Ferris State will host Findlay on Sunday (Nov. 22) in the GLIAC Tournament Championship match at the Ewigleben Sports Arena. Match time is set for 3 p.m. (ET).