Ferris State Volleyball Knocks Off NCAA D1 Oakland University In Exhibition Opener

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's volleyball squad started off its preseason slate in a big way as the Bulldogs rolled to a 3-1 victory over NCAA Division I Oakland University on Saturday (Aug. 21) in an exhibition match in Rochester.

The Bulldogs took the opening set 25-23 before the Grizzlies captured a 25-21 triumph in the second frame to square the match. However, the Bulldogs pulled out a tight 27-25 decision in the third set and completed the triumph with a 25-18 win in the fourth to secure the victory at the OU Athletics Center O'Rena.

Ferris State finished with 59 kills and a .155 attack percentage compared to Oakland's 51 kills and .154 hitting figure for the day. The Bulldogs also finished with eight blocks at the net and had five aces compared to OU's six blocks and a single ace.

For the Bulldogs, middle blocker Kira Merkle paced FSU with 16 kills in the contest. Senior Katie O'Connell added 10 kills to go with 18 digs in the triumph. Meanwhile, setter Kaylee Maat had 48 assists with 12 digs for FSU.

Oakland was paced by Jessica Riedl's team-high 14 kills with Lindsay Wightman totaling a match-high 29 digs. Madison Ross had 27 assists in the setback for the Horizon League member.

The Bulldogs are back in action with another matchup against a NCAA Division I school in Eastern Michigan on Sunday afternoon in Ypsilanti, Mich.