Ferris State Volleyball Comes Out On Short End In Opener At 2nd-Ranked Tampa

Photos by Ben Amato!

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's volleyball squad officially opened the 2014 campaign and battled nationally second-ranked Tampa much of the way before falling 3-1 on Thursday (Sept. 4) at the Tampa Classic in Tampa, Fla.

The Bulldogs, who are the defending NCAA Midwest Regional Champions, dropped the opening set in the matchup of returning NCAA Quarterfinalists by a 25-23 score. Tampa took set two to build a 2-0 advantage with a 25-16 triumph, but FSU rallied for a 25-23 win in the third frame to force the fourth set. However, the Trojans sealed the victory with a 25-18 victory.

FSU, ranked 13th in the preseason national poll, was led by junior outside hitter Megan Vander Meer's 10 kills. Senior Courtney Rehm added eight kills for the Bulldogs in the setback.

Offensively, sophomore Stephanie Sikorski tallied 26 assists and 11 digs with junior Alexis Huntey adding 13 digs. Rehm totaled 13 as well while Danielle Dowd finished with 11 digs to aid the Bulldog cause.

FSU hit only .059 for the night compared to Tampa's .218 figure. UT totaled 55 kills to 34 for Ferris State and netted 70 digs to 59 for the Bulldogs. FSU had five aces and seven blocks with Tampa finishing with a single ace and 10 blocks for the match.

Both teams also struggled at the service line with FSU totaling 12 errors and Tampa finishing with 11 overall.

Ferris State continues action in the Tampa Classic on Friday (Sept. 5) versus Tusculum at 2:30 p.m. (ET). FSU then faces a pair of nationally-ranked teams on Saturday (Sept. 6) to wrap up the event with matches versus fifth-ranked Central Missouri and 24th-ranked Indianapolis at 10 a.m. (ET) and 2:30 p.m. (ET), respectively.