Women's Volleyball Adds Illinois Native Dowd

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's volleyball program has added yet another recruit as prep outside hitter Danielle "Deedee" Dowd (Manhattan, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central) signed with the Bulldogs during the fall signing period.  The announcement was made by Bulldog head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm.

The 5-10 Dowd helped Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox, Ill., to both a conference and regional championship in 2011 while posting 332 kills, 289 digs and 109 total blocks.

"Deedee's a great athlete and a tough competitor," Brandel-Wilhelm said.  "She's very quick, jumps well and is eager to learn.  We are truly excited to add her to our team and believe she will be a fantastic Bulldog."

Dowd helped guide her squad to a 26-12 overall mark as a senior while attaining All-Southwest Suburban League honors for the second-straight year.  The two-year team captain also was a consensus all-area honoree by multiple publications in the metropolitan Chicago area for the second consecutive campaign.

A four-year letterwinner for head coach Kathy Sulkowski, Dowd has also played club volleyball for the Ultimate 18 Gold Team, which placed fifth at nationals in 2010.  She's played volleyball since the fourth grade.

The daughter of James and Ann Dowd, Deedee is the youngest of four children and has been active in Pi Sigma Pi and Mu Alpha Theta during her prep tenure.

Ferris State wrapped up the 2011 campaign by reaching the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Semifinals and posted a 27-4 overall record.  FSU won the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) North Division with an 18-1 conference mark and finished as league co-champions during the 2011 campaign.  The Bulldogs also achieved their highest national ranking in more than 20 years this season.