Bulldogs Fall In Dramatic Five-Set Thriller To Wayne State

Postgame Highlights & Interview 

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's volleyball team battled back after falling in the first set, but ultimately fell 3-2 (22-25, 25-18, 25-13, 22-25, 17-19) to the Wayne State Warriors in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play inside Jim Wink Arena on Thursday (Oct. 20) evening.

Ferris State sophomore middle hitter Olivia Henneman-Dallape led all attackers in the contest with 20 kills while fellow sophomore middle hitter Syann Fairfield had 10 kills for the Bulldogs in the match.

The Bulldogs erased a 1-0 Wayne State edge to take a 2-1 advantage, dominating sets two and three, but the Warriors ground out a fourth set win to force a decisive fifth set. The final set was a see-saw affair, and in extra points, the Warriors came from behind to take the 3-2 victory.

Wayne State was led by Lauren VanderWal's 16 kills, narrowly ahead of Kayla Giroux's 15 total. Alexa Withun and Halle Shell each tallied nine kills as well for the Warriors. WSU's Maddie Benoit had a match-best 31 digs for the Warriors.

For Ferris State, sophomore libero Leah Bylut had 25 digs. FSU sophomore setter Kaylee Maat had a match-best 51 assists and added 15 digs. Bulldog freshman outside hitter Alina Anderson had 16 digs for FSU. 

At the net, Ferris State had six different Bulldogs tally at least one block on the night, led by Fairfield's six block assists and sophomore outside hitter Claire Nowicki's one block solo and five block assists.

The Bulldogs hit the road for a Saturday road tilt at Wisconsin-Parkside on October 22, set for 3 p.m. (ET). Ferris State then opens a five-match homestand to wrap up the regular season from October 24-November 5. Tickets are on sale now at FerrisStateBulldogs.com/Tickets.