BLOG 2: New-look Bulldogs ready to compete

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State’s Becci Houdek dribbles the ball as she tries to get around teammate Lindsey Pettit during practice on Thursday evening in Jim Wink Arena (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – Ferris’ women’s basketball roster no longer features the dominating presence of Rachel Folcik, and that means some definite adjustments for players and coaches alike.

But, with a new season comes all kinds of optimism as the Bulldogs begin the post-Folcik era with a lot of new faces on their team roster this season. Ferris has added Chelsea (Ciba) Simonetti, a transfer from Western Michigan, who was highly recruited by the Bulldogs as a guard out of Olivet High School; Lindsey Pettit, a guard from Portland; Tricia Principe, a wing player from Kalamazoo; and Kelsey DeNoyelles, a guard who is a native of nearby Mount Pleasant.

The newcomers join established veterans, including the senior quartet of Teghan Thelen, Jenna Guay, Caitlin Hutchison and Ashley Fleming. Becci Houdek, a starting point guard from last season as a freshman, is back for her sophomore campaign. Houdek, this fall, became a two-sport athlete as she is also playing keeper for head coach Neathan Gibson’s women’s soccer program – in addition to being the starting point guard for Ferris.

“I think the players on our team are very enthusiastic and very excited,” said Ferris head coach Tracey Dorow, who is in her 11th season leading the Bulldogs. “Our goals are still high, but we’re not taking anything for granted as we begin practice to get ourselves ready for the start of the season.”

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com