BLOG 7: Ferris women headed to a tournament in Kentucky

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State's Tiara Adams goes up for a shot in traffic as she is defended by Teghan Thelen while Andrea Clancy (left) and Stephanie DeNoyelles look on during a scrimmage (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – The Ferris State University women’s basketball team had to feel a little disappointed when its scheduled exhibition game against Hope College had to be canceled.

But, the Bulldogs get a chance to find out where they are this weekend as they travel to Owensboro, Ky., to participate in the Kentucky Wesleyan Lady Panther Classic. Ferris begins with a contest against the host team, the Panthers, at 4:15 on Nov. 15, and against Indianapolis, at 2 p.m., on Nov. 16.

Head coach Tracey Dorow’s squad will try to escape Kentucky with a pair of important regional wins against the Panthers and Greyhounds this weekend. With the expanded Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schedule, non-conference regional game opportunities are very limited.

After these two games, the Bulldogs are back on the road Nov. 25 in Romeoville, Ill., against Lewis before the conference season starts with a road trip to archrival Grand Valley State.

In fact, Ferris’ women (17-12 last season) do not play at home for the first time until Dec. 13 when they will host Hillsdale College in a 1 p.m. league contest.

First things first, this weekend’s tournament will be a nice test for the Bulldogs as they begin the post-Rachel Folcik era. Head coach Tracey Dorow does have a group of players who have significant experience led by senior guard Teghan Thelen, who is the team’s leading returning scorer this season. Senior forward Caitlin Hutchison also has scoring ability from inside and medium range. In the paint, seniors Jenna Guay and Ashley Fleming will have to control the boards and, along with junior post player Andrea Clancy, fill in or exceed Folcik’s scoring and rebounding by committee.

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