Brandel-Wilhelm Picks Up Career Win 700 In Hard Fought NCAA Regional Quarterfinal

Big Rapids, Mich. - It took five hard-fought sets for the Ferris State University women's volleyball team, but with a 3-2 victory over the Rockhurst Hawks in the NCAA Midwest Regional Quarterfinal, the Bulldogs extended their win streak to 21-straight dating back to September 19 on Thursday (Dec. 2) inside Jim Wink Arena.

In the process, head coach Tia Brandel Wilhelm won her 700th career match as a collegiate head coach and 582nd at the Bulldog helm. In Ferris State's return to the NCAA Tournament, it was their second consecutive Regional Quarterfinal match against Rockhurst. The Bulldogs avenged their 2019 five-set loss to the Hawks with the win today.

Ferris State won it (24-26, 25-21, 25-14, 18-25, 15-10) in come-from-behind fashion after the first set. Rockhurst in fact led the opening set by 10 points late, before Ferris State extended the set to extra points, roaring back from behind early.

For the Bulldogs, freshman outside hitter Keona Salesman had a 17-kill day to lead five Bulldogs who were in double figures. Senior middle hitter Samantha Herman, freshman outside hitter Claire Nowicki and freshman middle hitter Olivia Henneman-Dallape each had 12 kills for the Bulldogs while senior ourside Katie O'Connell added 10.

At the setter spot, freshman setter Kaylee Maat had six kills, 60 assists and 13 digs for the Bulldogs. Ferris State senior libero Nina Gorgijevska had 17 digs to lead the Dawgs, while junior libero Brooke Norder added 12. 

Ferris State also got three total blocks out of Henneman-Dallape at the net to lead all Bulldogs. Gorgijevska had three service aces while Maat added two for the Bulldogs.

Rockhurst had four attackers in double figures as Averi Vomastic had 14 while Tera Reberry added 13. Sydney McDonald chipped in 12 kills for the Hawks.

In a strong offensive showing, Ferris State hit .306 for the day while Rockhurst hit .221. Both squads had seven service aces. Ferris State had 77 digs to 69 for Rockhurst on the evening. The Hawks finished with eight total blocks to Ferris State's six.

The win advances Ferris State to the Regional Semifinal for the first time since 2018.

The Bulldogs will square off against fifth-seeded Missouri-St. Louis in the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Semifinals on Friday (Dec. 3) night inside Wink Arena with match time set for 7:30 p.m. (ET). Tickets can be purchased online at FerrisStateBulldogs.com/Tickets.