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

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's volleyball team advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Tournament for the third consecutive year as the Bulldogs topped Lewis (Ill.) by a 3-1 score in quarterfinal-round action on Thursday (Dec. 5) afternoon in Allendale, Mich.

The seventh-seeded Flyers took the opening set 25-22, but number two seed FSU came back for a 27-25, 25-17 and 25-18 triumph at the Grand Valley State Fieldhouse Arena.

The Bulldogs improved to 23-8 overall this season with the victory as Ferris State topped Lewis in the regional opener for the second consecutive season.

Junior outside hitter Courtney Rehm led the Bulldogs with a match-high 17 kills while senior middle hitter Angi Kent chipped in 15 kills in the victory. FSU hit .248 for the match with 52 kills and only 16 errors on 145 total attacks. The match was the Bulldogs' first in two weeks since falling in the GLIAC Tournament.

The Bulldogs also received 19 digs from senior libero Brandie Merren along with 12 each from Rehm, sophomore outside hitter Alexis Huntey and sophomore Megan Vander Meer.  Meanwhile, freshman setter Stephanie Sikorski tallied 44 assists and 10 digs in the win.

FSU had 11 blocks and eight service aces in the match to go with 70 digs and 49 assists. Merren tallied three aces with both Vander Meer and Huntey netting two each. Caroline Heitzman led FSU at the net with three solo blocks and three assists.

Lewis was led by Cassidy Parsons, who had 14 kills and 11 digs. Nicole Yuede added 20 digs.
The Flyers were limited to a .182 attack figure with 52 kills and 24 errors on 154 attacks. LU had 63 digs, eight blocks and three aces, but also totaled 13 service mistakes.

Ferris State hit an impressive .350 in the fourth and final frame.

The Bulldogs, who are midst their 18th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance, improved to 10-18 all-time in NCAA action with the victory.

FSU will square off against sixth-seeded Indianapolis on Friday (Dec. 6) in regional semifinal action at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena. The Greyhounds upset third-seeded Northwood by a 3-1 score in the first quarterfinal match of the day. The Greyhounds have knocked FSU out of the regional tournament in the semifinals each of the last two years.

Friday's match is slated for a 5 p.m. (ET) start with the winner advancing to the regional title match on Saturday night.