Bulldogs Slated to Open GLIAC Play

September 9, 2001

Last Weekend - Ferris State, 7-4 overall, won one of three matches at the GLIAC/Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Challenge held at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Ky. Despite winning the first game, FSU lost to Southern Indiana by a score of 3-1 on Friday (Sept. 7). On Saturday (Sept. 8) morning, the Bulldogs lost a five-game thriller with Quincy (Ill.) 3-2. In Saturday afternoon's final match, Ferris State defeated Lewis (Ill.) 3-2. The four GLIAC schools finished the tournament with an 8-4 mark while the GLVC was 4-8 overall.

Minnis Leads the Way - Senior Erin Minnis compiled three double-double performances (kills and digs) at the GLIAC/GLVC Challenge at Northern Kentucky University. The 6-0 middle hitter totaled 49 kills, 33 digs and 17 total blocks in the three weekend matches.

In the win over Lewis on Saturday, Minnis tallied 20 kills and 12 digs. Against Quincy, she had 17 kills, 10 digs and nine total blocks. Versus Southern Indiana, Minnis compiled 12 kills and 11 digs. Besides posting three double-doubles, the returning All-Great Lakes Region selection also earned her 250th career block assist in the tournament opener against Southern Indiana.

Minnis ranks second on the 2001 squad in kills with 218 (2.95 kpg) and is second in total digs with 85 (2.12 dpg). She also ranks second with 50 total blocks (1.25 bpg). Minnis needs 170 kills to become the 11th player in school history to eclipse the 1,000 career kills mark.

Big Outing For Olds - Junior Alaina Olds posted a career-high 23 kills on 42 attacks (.429) in Saturday's win over Lewis. In the three weekend matches at the GLIAC/GLVC Challenge, Olds totaled 53 kills, 26 digs and 16 total blocks. A 5-10 middle hitter, Olds has recorded 10 or more kills in eight matches this season. She notched her 400th career kill against Southern Indiana on Friday. Olds leads Ferris State with 136 kills in 39 games (3.49 kpg). She also ranks first on the squad in total blocks with 52 (1.33 bpg) and has compiled 64 digs (1.64 dpg). Olds posted her second double-double of the year as she added 11 digs against Lewis.

Green Steps Up On Saturday - Freshman setter Ashley Green recorded a career-best 64 assists on Saturday in the win over Lewis. In Saturday morning's match against Quincy, Green had 53 assists and 14 digs. She made her first career start on Friday against Southern Indiana and had 29 assists while splitting time with senior Emily Williams. Green served as the lone setter throughout both of Saturday's matches as Williams left the tournament early to attend a wedding.

Desmarais Posts Best Day - Junior Angie Desmarais tallied a personal-best 18 digs to lead the squad in her second career start against Lewis on Saturday. A 5-11 middle hitter, Desmarais added nine digs against Quincy in Saturday morning's match. She has played in 28 games this season and is averaging 1.43 digs per game. Last season, Desmarais played in 35 matches and made one start.

Bulldog Bites - Senior Erin Minnis is 11 digs away from recording her 600th career dig ........ Ferris State has won the first game in all 11 matches this season ...... Six Bulldog players reached double-figures in digs in the win over Lewis .......... Eleven different players saw action in both of Saturday's matches ........... FSU needs four home wins to notch its 200th victory at Ewigleben Sports Arena ............. Minnis has played in 278 of the past 279 Bulldog games – she sat out game three of the 2001 season opener against Indianapolis .............. Ferris State is a combined 18-4 in the first two games of matches this year ........... The Bulldogs have recorded more blocks than their opponent in all 11 matches ...... Entering GLIAC play, head coach Tia Brandel has the second-best conference winning percentage (.609) among FSU volleyball head coaches. She is 56-36 against the GLIAC.

Big Weekend Ahead - Ferris State has an edge against all three conference foes it will face this weekend. In the all-time series, the Bulldogs are 45-17 against Lake Superior State, 32-11 versus Michigan Tech and lead Northern Michigan 32-30. Last season, FSU swept both Lake Superior State (3-0) and Michigan Tech (2-0). The Bulldogs split a pair of matches with Northern Michigan as each squad won on its home floor. Both Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan are nationally-ranked in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top 25 Poll (Sept. 4). The 6-2 Huskies were tied for 24th in the poll while Northern Michigan is ranked 21st and is 9-1 overall. Lake Superior State is 11-1 this year. Head coach Tia Brandel has career marks of 11-1 against LSSU, 6-4 versus Michigan Tech and 3-9 against Northern Michigan.

Rind Records Key Kill - Junior Erin Rind recorded her 100th career kill in Friday's loss versus Southern Indiana. On Saturday, she tallied a career-high 14 digs against Quincy. A 5-10 junior, Rind has started all 11 matches and has appeared in 38 games this season. She leads the squad with 20 service aces (0.53 apg) and is third in digs per game (2.13 dpg).

Speed Surpasses Mark - Junior Stephanie Speed surpassed the 300 career digs mark with 16 digs on Friday against Southern Indiana. Speed has reached double-figures in digs in each of the past seven matches and leads the squad with 122 digs this season (2.98 dpg). In the final match of the tournament against Lewis, Speed had 17 kills and 17 digs to post her first double-double of the year.

Next Week - Ferris State will travel East to face GLIAC North Division rivals Northwood and Saginaw Valley State. The Bulldogs will battle Northwood on Friday (Sept. 21) at 7 p.m. in Midland before facing SVSU on Saturday (Sept. 22) at 2 p.m.