Jenna Way To Continue Family Tradition At FSU

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's volleyball program has announced the addition of prep player Jenna Way (Charlevoix), who will continue a family tradition at FSU.  She will join the Bulldogs effective with the fall 2012 campaign, according to FSU head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm.

Way recently wrapped up her prep senior campaign at Charlevoix High School and is a four-time all-state honoree.

"Jenna is a fantastic athlete and a tremendous competitor along with being a positive and uplifting teammate," said Brandel-Wilhelm.  "We are truly excited to add Jenna to our program and she will be a great addition to Bulldog Volleyball."

Way's signing continues a longstanding family tradition at Ferris State.  She is the granddaughter of former FSU Athletic Director and Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame member Dean Davenport.  Her mother, Chris, was a two-sport varsity athlete at Ferris State and later served as a volunteer assistant coach in the FSU program before becoming head volleyball coach at fellow Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) member Michigan Tech from 1981-84.  Additionally, her uncle Terry designed the current Bulldog mascot logo as a Ferris State student in the 1980's and her aunt, Jodi, was a tennis player and captain of the first Ferris Pom Pom squad.

A four-year starting setter, Way served as a team captain for three-straight seasons and was both a four-time all-conference and all-region selection.  She also attained all-region dream team accolades throughout her prep career.  This past season, she led the Rayders to the program's first-ever regional crown and a trip to the state semifinals.

Way's older sister, Sumer, played volleyball for four years in the GLIAC at Hillsdale College while her other sister, Aubrey, was the first-ever Charlevoix High School graduate to move on to collegiate volleyball when she played at Cornerstone.

In her prep career, Way attained all-tournament team recognition more than 10 times and played nearly every minute of every match over her four years except for a single play in one game this season. Way holds virtually every Charlevoix setting record.

The two-time first team all-state recipient is on track to tie the school record of 12 varsity letters currently held by her prep head coach, Liz (Grunch) Shaw.  Besides volleyball, she has also competed in tennis, track and basketball.

Ferris State compiled a 27-4 overall record in 2011 and won the GLIAC North Division Championship while also reaching the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Semifinals.  The Bulldogs finished as league co-champions after posting an 18-1 conference mark.