2001-02 RECRUITS

"Sarah is an outstanding athlete," Fisk said. "She is very aggressive and works extremely hard. With her ability, she should fit in well at Ferris State."

A 5-10 wing player, Duesing averaged 12.6 points per contest as a senior at Sault Area High School during the fall 2000 campaign. Besides leading the Blue Devils to a 23-3 overall mark, Duesing also helped Sault Area reach the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) State Quarterfinal round, claim the Big North Conference championship and win a regional title.

"I expect her to be a solid defensive player for us," Fisk said. "She is a slasher and a good free throw shooter. The college game will be an adjustment for her, but she fits in well with our team and should be very comfortable in our system."

A three-year prep letterwinner, Duesing earned first-team 2000 All-Big North Conference honors and was a first-team All-Upper Peninsula (2000) selection. She is the younger sister of Lake Superior State standout Alice Duesing, a 2001 first-team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) North Division honoree.

"Sarah has worked out with her sister this summer and that should help her," Fisk said. "Her sister is one of the premier players in our league and we believe Sarah has the opportunity to be a fantastic player in our program."

Duesing will also participate in women's track and field at Ferris State. A four-year track letterwinner, Duesing recorded the second-best high jump (5-8) in the state during the 2001 season and was the MHSAA Upper Peninsula Division I State Champion in the high jump, 300-meter hurdles and the long jump.

Duesing joins junior college transfer Ann Platz (Watervliet, Mich./Lake Michigan College) as 2001 Ferris State women's basketball recruits.

Ferris State finished the 2000-01 campaign with a 16-11 overall mark, which represented the 10th winning season in the 27-year history of Ferris State women's basketball. Three of those winning campaigns have came under Fisk. The Bulldogs are 56-28 (.667) over the past three years and reached the quarterfinals of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament during the 2000-01 campaign.

BULLDOGS ADD JUNIOR COLLEGE TRANSFER

"Ann is a hard worker and willing to do anything she is asked," Fisk said. "She takes pride in learning and is a very smart young lady, which will help her pick up new things quickly in our program."

A 6-1 center, Platz averaged 11.6 points per contest in 13 games at Lake Michigan College during the 2000-01 campaign. She missed the final 18 games of the year with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) as the Indians captured the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) State Championship and earned a top ten national ranking under Fisk's father Rick Bloodworth. Prior to her injury, Platz ranked among the conference leaders in scoring, rebounding (7.0 rpg) and field goal percentage (51.9%).

"She seems to be doing well," Fisk said. "An ACL injury is a very slow healing process, but we're confident Ann will be ready to play by the time we open the season. We don't have a whole lot of height returning, so she will be a welcomed addition."

As a freshman at Lake Michigan College (1999-2000), Platz garnered All-MCCAA honors and was an all-tournament selection at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Championships, where the Indians placed eighth overall.

"Her biggest strengths before her injury were her ability to run the floor and use her body," Fisk said. "She blocks out well and is a very good rebounder."

A four-year prep letterwinner at Grace Christian High School (Watervliet), Platz averaged 19 points per game and 11 rebounds per contest for the Patriots as a senior (1998-99) while garnering first-team All-Cornerstone Conference honors and honorable mention all-state accolades. She also participated in volleyball and softball.

Besides being a standout athlete, Platz served as student council treasurer and was co-valedictorian of her high school class. The daughter of Phillip and Linda Platz, Ann graduated from Lake Michigan College with a 4.0 grade point average and plans to major in applied biology at Ferris State.

Ferris State finished the 2000-01 campaign with a 16-11 overall mark, which represented the 10th winning season in the 27-year history of Ferris State women's basketball. Three of those winning campaigns have came under Fisk. The Bulldogs are 56-28 (.667) over the past three years and reached the quarterfinals of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament during the 2000-01 campaign.