Ferris State Volleyball Advances To NCAA Regional Semifinals For Fifth-Straight Year

Postgame Press Conference  

Big Rapids, Mich. - The nationally second-ranked Ferris State University women's volleyball team advanced to the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Semifinals for the fifth-straight year as the Bulldogs rolled past Trevecca Nazarene 3-0 on Thursday (Dec. 3) inside FSU's Jim Wink Arena.

Ferris State, hosting its first NCAA postseason action since 1989, beat the Trojans in decisive fashion 25-17, 25-16, 25-10 to improve to 32-2 overall this season. 

With the regional quarterfinal win, top-seeded FSU will now face fourth-seeded Findlay in Friday's first semifinal starting at 5 p.m. (ET).

The Bulldogs posted an impressive .349 attack figure in Thursday's victory and totaled 46 kills with only eight errors in 109 attempts. FSU also came up with 67 digs and posted four aces, four block assists and four solo blocks.

Senior outside hitter Megan Vander Meer, who was tabbed as the region's MVP in voting by sports information directors this year, tallied a match-high 15 kills and added eight digs while pacing FSU. Meanwhile, sophomore hitter Ayanna Buckley contributed nine kills, senior outside hitter Alexis Huntey had eight kills and senior middle hitter Caroline Heitzman produced seven kills in the victory.

Senior libero Danielle Dowd led the Bulldogs with 20 digs in the contest and Huntey added 15 digs to help the Bulldog cause. Both Vander Meer and freshman Katie Placek notched eight digs apiece while junior setter Stephanie Sikorski came up with seven in addition to her 34 assists in the win.
Meanwhile, at the net Buckley paced the 'Dawgs with three solo blocks and two assists.

Ferris State held the Trojans to only a .025 attack figure as Trevecca Nazarene totaled 24 kills and 21 errors on 121 total attacks. Both Katelyn Atkinson and Janessa Hodge recorded seven kills each.

On the Trevecca Nazarene side, the Trojans also received 15 digs by Allison Boe along with 10 from Loren Bennett. The visitors finished with 50 digs, three aces, two block assists and a solo block.

The Bulldogs are currly midst their 20th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance and FSU improved to 14-20 all-time in NCAA Tourney play with Thursday's regional win.

Tickets for Friday's regional semifinal are on sale and can be purchased thru the FSU Athletics Ticket Office, which is open Friday starting at 9 a.m. (ET). FSU students can receive a free complimentary ticket with a valid ID card by picking up in person while supplies last at the ticket office on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The other regional semifinal will pit #2 Rockhurst against #3 Lewis starting at 7:30 p.m. (ET) on Friday at Wink Arena. The two semifinal winners will meet in Saturday's championship match at 5 p.m. with a berth in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight on the line.