TITLE MATCH BOUND! Top-Seed Ferris State Rallies To Beat Rival GVSU In GLIAC Tourney Semifinals!

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — The Ferris State University women's volleyball squad advanced into the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament Championship match as FSU rallied to beat rival Grand Valley State by a 3-2 score on Saturday (Nov. 22) inside Bulldog Arena by scores of 21-25, 20-25, 25-17, 25-18 and 15-11.

With the win, FSU will now move into the title match on Sunday (Nov. 23) slated for 4 p.m. (ET) in Big Rapids.

FSU overcame a two-set deficit, highlighted by 58 kills and 13 total blocks. GVSU recorded 60 kills, but was unable to maintain the early lead.

The opening set between Ferris State and Grand Valley State saw a competitive exchange early, but a series of errors allowed the Lakers to take control. The Bulldogs initially secured a point with a kill by Gabby Piazza, assisted by Hayley Wegener, but saw the lead quickly slip away. GVSU capitalized on Ferris State's attack errors, with Brianna Stawski and Meghan O'Sullivan contributing multiple kills. As the set progressed, the Lakers extended their lead to 17-7, aided by a service ace from Kendall Stover and consistent setting from Gabby Orlet. Despite a late rally from FSU, which included a kill by Emma Bleecher and a block by Maddy Vaara, Grand Valley State closed the set at 25-21 with a decisive kill by Kennedy Arp.

GVSU claimed the second set with a 25-20 victory over the Bulldogs. Ferris State initially held a 6-1 lead, aided by a service ace from Hope Davies and an attack error from Kendall Stover. The Lakers responded with a series of kills, including three from Kennedy Arp, to bring the score to a 10-10 tie. The set remained close until Meghan O'Sullivan delivered three consecutive kills, pushing Grand Valley State to a 23-20 lead. Attack errors by Gabby Piazza concluded the set in GVSU's favor.

Ferris State built momentum in the third set against Grand Valley, overcoming an early 3-0 deficit with a combination of strong defense and effective attacks. Brianna Stawski of the Lakers began with three consecutive kills, but FSU quickly responded. Hayley Wegener and Maddy Vaara executed a block to force an attack error, which was followed by a service ace from Logyn Geren to tie the set at 3-3. Piazza contributed significantly with multiple kills, helping the Bulldogs extend their lead to 15-7. Despite a brief rally from GVSU, Ferris State maintained control. Vaara's kill pushed the Bulldogs to a 22-15 advantage. Emily May closed the set with a kill, securing the 25-17 victory for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs secured a decisive 25-18 victory over Grand Valley State in the fourth set. Geren initiated the scoring with a kill, setting the tone early. Wegener consistently facilitated the offense, providing key assists throughout the set, including consecutive kills by Piazza and Bleecher. Despite a service ace by Stover for Grand Valley State that briefly narrowed the gap, Vaara and Bleecher added crucial points, maintaining Ferris State's lead. Piazza clinched the set with a final kill, capping off the period and sealing the match.

FSU secured a decisive 15-11 victory in the fifth set against the Lakers, clinching the match. The set began with Grand Valley State taking an early 1-0 lead with a kill from O'Sullivan, but a series of service errors allowed Ferris State to keep the score close. Vaara and Bleecher made significant contributions with crucial kills, helping the Bulldogs pull ahead. May's consistent performance, highlighted by a final kill from an assist by Wegener, sealed the set for Ferris, despite Arp's efforts to keep the Lakers in contention.

Bleecher led the FSU team with 15 kills and added 12 digs, contributing significantly to her total of 16.0 points. Wegener facilitated the offense with 40 assists while also collecting a team-high 26 digs. Geren was a force at the net with six block assists, rounding out her contribution of 8.0 points. May bolstered the defense with five block assists and added 10 kills to her performance.

Arp led Grand Valley State with a team-high 16.5 points, recording 16 kills on 40 attempts with a .350 hitting percentage. Lexi Armstrong was instrumental in defense, contributing 25 digs from 24 total attempts. Sydney Orlet showcased her playmaking skills, amassing 49 assists to facilitate the team's offensive efforts. Additionally, Grace Busold and Stover were key in defensive plays, with Busold tallying 23 digs and Stover adding 20 digs while also delivering three service aces.

The Bulldogs improved to 24-6 overall with the win. FSU is currently third in the latest NCAA D2 Midwest Regional Rankings.

The winner of Sunday's GLIAC Tournament Championship Match will receive the league's automatic bid into the NCAA D2 Midwest Regional. FSU has captured 10 of the last 11 conference tournament titles entering the championship match.