Four Talented Prep Student-Athletes Sign With Ferris State Volleyball This Fall
Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's volleyball program, which reached the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Semifinals for the fourth-straight year this fall, has announced the additions of four talented West Michigan student-athletes who signed national letters-of-intent with FSU during the recent fall signing period.
The Bulldogs have added a pair of local standouts in Morley-Stanwood High School prep hitters Kayla Rosman and Mekayla Carey along with Traverse City West outside hitter Kathleen Placek and Muskegon Mona Shores' Courtney Brewer.
All four signees will join the team for the fall 2015 season, becoming members of a program has made 19 NCAA Division II Tournament appearances and recently won the program's 11th Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Championship this fall.
"We're thrilled to have all four of these talented players become Bulldogs," said FSU head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm. "They all have tremendous ability and bright futures ahead of them in our program."
The 5-9 Rosman earned all-state honors for the fourth-straight year this past fall while helping lead Morley-Stanwood High School to the program's fourth-straight conference title and third district crown in the past four years. The two-time first team all-state pick also was a four-time all-conference and all-region honoree. She twice served as team captain and earned team Most Valuable Player Award accolades for the third year in a row in 2014 while being chosen as a Michigan Miss Volleyball Top 10 finalist. This past year, she compiled 606 kills, 566 digs and 55 total blocks.
Rosman competed at several positions under head coach Robin Kozuch during her prep career, including outside and right-side hitter along with defensive specialist. The Stanwood native also played club level volleyball for the Inside Out Program under Rick Ryske and helped lead the Mohawks to a state title in 2011. The daughter of Daniel and Nancy Rosman, Kayla plans to major in nursing at FSU and is the younger sister of former Ferris State football player Zachary Rosman.
"Kayla is a very strong volleyball player with a great deal of experience," said Brandel-Wilhelm. "She has great ball control and an ability to make adjustments quickly. We are thrilled to have her join the program."
Carey teamed up with Rosman to help Morley-Stanwood achieve success in her prep career. The talented hitter played a variety of roles as the Mohawks won their fourth conference title and third district championship in her career. The all-state pick also receive all-conference, all-area and all-region accolades as a prepster under Kozuch. Both Carey and Rosman traveled to Seattle last year as American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Prep Phenom selections.
The daughter of Dan and Dana Carey, Mekayla has also competed in basketball and softball on the high school level and plans to major in diagnostic medical sonography.
"Mekayla is a very athletic player and her speed and quickness on the court will make her a formidable collegiate player," Brandel-Wilhelm said. "She has determination and a drive to excel. We are excited to add her to the Bulldog family."
The 5-10 Placek had a standout career at Traverse City West High School where she was both a four-time all-state and academic all-state recipient for head coach Emily Baumann. She started more than 175 consecutive matches for TC West and netted more than 1,700 kills, 1,500 digs, 300 blocks and 225 service aces in her prep career. The four-time all-region and all-league honoree guided the squad to its fourth-straight district crown this fall along with a trip to the state tournament. In her career, she helped lead the Titans to the school's first regional title since 2006 and TC West captured the Big North Conference with a perfect 12-0 mark.
The daughter of Don and Lisa Placek, Kathleen has also competed in basketball and soccer while serving in a variety of student organizations, including student senate. She plans to major in Psychology and played club level volleyball for the Northshore Volleyball Club under coach Travis Baker.
"Katie is a very experienced volleyball player who we've been watching play for some time," said Brandel-Wilhelm. "She has great ball control and is extremely versatile. We expect her to add to our team early in her career and believe she'll be a wonderful addition."
Finally, Brewer has ranked as one of West Michigan's top performers at Muskegon Mona Shores High School. The all-state honoree is a two-time all-conference and all-region pick who also twice attained team MVP Award honors. The Dream Team recipient served as team captain this year and compiled more than 380 kills, 180 digs, 25 blocks and 20 aces each of the past two years. Her performance helped the Sailors to city and conference titles under head coach Dan Potts.
An outside hitter on the prep level, Brewer is the daughter of Timothy and Amy Brewer and is undecided on an academic major. She also competed for the Inside Out program on the club level and has participated in track along with helping produce the school yearbook.
"Courtney is a fantastic athlete and a very dynamic volleyball player," Brandel-Wilhelm said. "She brings a great deal of enthusiasm to the sport and competition. We are very excited to add her to our program."
This fall, the Bulldogs compiled a 24-6 overall record, marking the 13th time in Brandel-Wilhelm's tenure in which FSU has won at least 20 matches in a year. The Bulldogs shared the GLIAC Regular-Season crown, won the program's second-ever GLIAC Tournament Championship and reached the NCAA-II Regional Semifinals for the fourth year in a row. All but two seniors are eligible to return next fall.