Three-Time Defending GLIAC Champion Ferris State Unveils Talented 2017 Volleyball Recruiting Class
Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's volleyball squad, which captured both its third-straight Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Regular Season and Tournament championships this past fall, has announced the addition of five talented prep student-athletes who will join the program as part of its 2017 recruiting class.
The 2017 recruiting class features three talented in-state prep selections, including two of West Michigan's best, along with two out-of-state prep teammates from the nation's number one ranked high school team this past fall.
Head Coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm has inked setter Julia Mitchell (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Eastern), outside/rightside hitter Abby O'Brien (Evergreen Park, Ill./Chicago Mother McAuley), outside/rightside hitter Katie O'Connell (Evergreen Park, Ill./Chicago Mother McAuley), outside hitter Morgan Ross (Grand Haven) and outside/middle hitter Jessica Warford (Fenton) to national letters-of-intent during the recently-completed fall signing period.
Both O'Brien and O'Connell played for Chicago's Mother McAuley High School, which concluded the 2016 season as the country's top team according to both PrepVolleyball.com along with the USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association Super 25 Rankings after claiming the Illinois State Championship and reeling off 32 consecutive wins. Mitchell and Ross were regarded as two of the top players in West Michigan with Warford garnering Flint Metro League Player of the Year honors in her prep career.
The Bulldogs, who made the school's sixth-straight and 21st overall NCAA Tournament appearance in 2016, finished the most recent campaign with a 30-6 overall record. FSU won its third-straight GLIAC Regular-Season Championship and claimed the school's third consecutive GLIAC Tournament title while earning the right to host the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Tournament where FSU finished as the regional runner-up for the second-straight year.
This past year marked the 15th time in 21 seasons under head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm in which FSU has claimed at least 20 victories in a campaign. The Bulldogs also made their 19th consecutive GLIAC Tournament appearance and hosted the regional tournament for the second consecutive year.
Below is information on FSU's 2017 recruiting class:
Julia Mitchell
The 5-11 Mitchell earned All-State accolades during a memorable prep career at Forest Hills Eastern High School as a setter under head coach Christopher Croft. The four-year letterwinner is the daughter of Bob and Kathleen Mitchell and twice claimed all-conference recognition. She was chosen as the team Most Valuable Player in 2015 and regarded as one of West Michigan's top prep performers. Along with volleyball, she's been active in student government while in the high school ranks and also competed in soccer. Her father was an All-America football player during a memorable collegiate career at Grand Valley State.
Coach Brandel-Wilhelm Comments:
"Julia is a dynamic athlete who has played both attacking and setting positions throughout her high school and club volleyball years. She is very quick to the ball and her athleticism and competitive drive will allow her an opportunity to be an early impact player for the Bulldogs. We are thrilled to have Julia join the Ferris State Volleyball family."
Katie O'Connell
The standout hitter is the daughter of John and Gina O'Connell and led Chicago's Mother McAuley High School to the Illinois State Championship this past fall. Her squad finished the year ranked #1 in the high school ranks by PrepVolleyball.com. She served as a team captain during her senior campaign and was an all-conference choice. The 6-0 O'Connell tallied 334 kills with 434 digs, 21 aces and 48 total blocks while hitting .302 overall in 42 matches as a senior while leading Mother McAuley to a 40-1 overall record. Her team claimed three regional championships during her career and twice won conference and sectional titles. She played club volleyball for Michio Chicago and comes from a volleyball family as her mother played for the University of St. Francis and her brother, J.T., played at St. Xavier University. The three-time all-academic choice has been a National Honor Society member and a scholar-athlete.
Coach Brandel-Wilhelm Comments:
"Katie is a dynamic fluid athlete with the ability to terminate in the front row and contribute as a passer and defender in the back court. She is a hard worker who has competed at the highest level of high school and club volleyball. She has been an impact player and tremendous leader for her nationally-ranked high school team. She will be a fantastic addition to the Ferris State family."
Abby O'Brien
A prep teammate of Katie O'Connell, O'Brien also has been a key standout hitter at Chicago's Mother McAuley High School under head coach Jen DeJarld. In addition to helping lead the squad to a state championship and number one ranking by PrepVolleyball.com this past year, she was also an all-conference choice. The 5-9 O'Brien is the daughter of Richard and Jeanne O'Brien and helped her squad to two conference titles and a state tournament berth this past year along with twice winning the Asics Challenge. She's played on the club level for Michio Chicago.
Coach Brandel-Wilhelm Comments:
"Having played at the highest level of club and high school volleyball, Abby is a very experienced volleyball player. She is a strong ball control player with a live arm and the volleyball IQ to make great decisions as an attacker and defender. She is an excellent addition to the Bulldog team and will be a big contributor through the years.
Morgan Ross
A Grand Haven High School product, Ross is the daughter of Ken and Sally Ross. The 5-11 Ross earned AAU All-American honors in 2016 and was also an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Preseason All-American. She claimed first-team all-league and all-region laurels while serving as a team captain. The two-time all-region choice was also named to the Michigan High School Volleyball Insider Senior Watch List. As a junior, she was a Muskegon Chronicle Dream Team selection and an AAU Academic All-American while leading the Buccaneers to a conference and district crown. The three-year letterwinner has also played on the national level for the San Diego Volleyball Club and helped the Michigan Volleyball Academy to a fifth-place team finish at the AAU Nationals in 2016. A National Honor Society member, she tallied 391 kills, 242 digs and 67 aces as a senior in leading her team to a 48-8 overall record. Her mother played collegiate volleyball at the University of Illinois.
Coach Brandel-Wilhelm Comments:
"Morgan is a very powerful volleyball player. She is an aggressive outside hitter who has the experience and skill to be a front row and back row player for the Bulldogs. She comes from a very good high school team – Grand Haven – and she knows how to work hard to be successful on the court. Morgan is a dedicated teammate and we are eager to add her to the program."
Jessica Warford
The 5-10 Warford is coming off a standout career at Fenton High School. The three-time all-conference choice is the daughter of Darren and Kate Warford and has twice been an all-region honoree. In addition, the two-time Most Valuable Player Award recipient earned the Flint Metro League Player of the Year honor. She's helped lead Fenton to three conference titles, three district championships and a regional crown as a prep student-athlete. Additionally, she's played club volleyball for both Team Detroit and the Michigan Elite. Warford is a four-year letterwinner and has also competed in track.
Coach Brandel-Wilhelm Comments:
"Jessica is an explosive and versatile player with a very high vertical jump. She has experience at both the outside and middle attacking positions and this will bring a great deal of opportunity to the team. She is an exciting addition to the Bulldog family."