Nationally 23rd-Ranked Bulldogs Split Two Matches At Central Missouri Challenge On Friday

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's volleyball team split a pair of matches to open day one action at the highly-competitive Peggy Martin Challenge hosted by Central Missouri on Friday (Sept. 13) in Warrensburg, Mo.

The nationally 23rd-ranked Bulldogs beat Winona State (Minn.) by a 3-1 count in Friday's opener before falling to nationally seventh-ranked host Central Missouri 3-0 in the nightcap.

Ferris State recorded its fourth victory of the year by beating Winona State in early afternoon action.  FSU dropped the first set 25-18, but came back to win the match with scores of 25-16, 25-20 and 25-19 over the next three sets.

The Bulldogs hit .217 for the afternoon in match one and received nine kills each from both sophomore outside hitter Alexis Huntey and senior middle hitter Angi Kent.  Freshman setter Stephanie Sikorski totaled 28 assists while junior hitter Courtney Rehm netted nine digs in her first action of the season.

The Bulldogs totaled 37 kills to go with 45 digs and 12 total blocks in the win.  Additionally, Ferris State also notched 10 service aces, including three from Caroline Heitzman, with only five errors at the service line.  After hitting only .107 in the opening set, the Bulldogs hit an impressive .400 in the second frame.

Katie Froehle recorded 11 kills for Winona State while Alli Glisch had 10 in the match.  Three players also totaled 12 digs or more for the Warriors, who had 55 digs as a team and 53 kills, but only a .175 attack percentage.  Winona State also had only five team blocks and netted 10 service errors with six aces.

Seventh-ranked Central Missouri, however, proved to be too much for the Bulldogs on its home floor as they took the match in straight-sets by scores of 25-16, 25-21 and 25-19.

The Bulldogs posted 45 digs, 29 kills, six blocks and three aces in match two with a .188 attack figure and seven service errors.  Meanwhile, Central Missouri totaled 54 digs, 47 kills, eight aces, four blocks and 11 service mistakes with a .306 showing on attacks.

The Bulldogs were led by both Huntey and Heitzman in the evening showdown as each had six kills.  Sikorski registered 26 assists and Rehm contributed a team-high 16 digs for the Bulldogs.

On the other side of the court, Central Missouri was led by Taylor Goodness' match-best 17 kills.  Carly Sojka added 10 kills while Julia Bates posted 36 assists and Annie Reilly notched a team-high 14 digs as Central Missouri remained unbeaten (7-0) on the year.

With the split, the Bulldogs currently own a 4-2 overall record this season.

Ferris State will wrap up the Peggy Martin Challenge with two more matches on Saturday (Sept. 14) in Warrensburg.  FSU faces Pittsburg State (Kan.) at 9 a.m. (ET) followed by a matchup with Emporia State (Kan.) beginning at 3 p.m. (ET).