Ferris State Sweeps Wayne State In Key GLIAC Road Match

Big Rapids, Mich. — The nationally 14th-ranked Ferris State University women's volleyball squad swept Wayne State 26-24, 25-16, 25-23 on Friday (Oct. 31) evening in a pivotal Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) showdown at the Matthaei Center in Detroit.

The Bulldogs played strong defensively, recording 71 digs and 11 total blocks. They capitalized on Wayne State's 10 service errors, securing the victory in straight sets.

The opening set between the Bulldogs and the Warriors was tightly contested throughout. The Bulldogs initiated play with Maddy Vaara scoring the first point on a kill from Hayley Wegener's set. The teams exchanged points frequently, with the home team briefly pulling ahead at 20-18 after consecutive kills by Kayla Giroux and Kayla Dulgar. However, Ferris State managed a comeback, tying the set at 22-22 following a block by Emma Bleecher and Logyn Geren. The set reached a pivotal moment when Geren's kill brought the Bulldogs to set point at 25-24, and Bleecher sealed the set with a service ace, concluding the first set 26-24 in favor of Ferris State.

The second set was marked by a strong performance from the Bulldogs, who quickly established control with a series of scoring runs. After a service error by Wayne State, the Bulldogs capitalized on attack errors and executed effective plays, including a service ace by Wegener that contributed to their early 5-2 lead. Emily May was instrumental, delivering multiple kills with assists from Wegener, taking the score to 11-5. Despite Wayne State's attempts to recover with kills from Katerina Stout and Dulgar, the Bulldogs maintained their momentum, pulling ahead 19-13. The set concluded with Geren securing the final point for Ferris State with a kill assisted by Wegener, finalizing the set at 25-16 in favor of FSU.

Ferris State secured a tense third-set victory with a final score of 25-23. The set was characterized by back-and-forth action, with neither team gaining a clear advantage until the latter stages. Vaara and Gabby Piazza were crucial for the Bulldogs, with Piazza delivering a key service ace that tightened the score to 22-21. Geren clinched the win for Ferris State, notching consecutive kills to close out the set. The Warriors had opportunities to extend their lead, but service errors and attack errors proved costly, allowing the Bulldogs to capitalize and secure the set.

Wegener led Ferris State with 26 assists and contributed significantly on defense with 19 digs and six total blocks. Hope Davies recorded a match-high 22 digs, providing a strong defensive effort. Geren was effective at the net, posting five total blocks and achieving a .500 hitting percentage with six kills. Bleecher added six kills, 10 digs, and an ace, showcasing her versatility across the court.

Dulgar led Wayne State with 33 assists. Stout delivered a strong performance with 10 kills on a .391 hitting percentage, while also adding two block assists. Giroux recorded 12 kills and was active at the net with three total blocks, including one solo. Paige Giehtbrock contributed nine kills and 11 digs.

Ferris State moved to 19-4 overall record and 10-1 in the GLIAC with the victory while WSU fell to 16-5 overall and 8-3 in conference play.

The Bulldogs will play another key GLIAC match on Saturday (Nov. 1), visiting West Michigan rival Grand Valley State for a 3 p.m. (ET) tilt in Allendale.