FSU 11-8 Overall After Weekend Action

October 1, 2001

Last Weekend - The Bulldogs dropped two of three matches last week. On Tuesday (Oct. 25), FSU suffered a 3-0 setback against archrival Grand Valley State in Allendale, Mich. The Bulldogs traveled to Ohio over the weekend (Sept. 28-29) and split a pair of matches. On Friday (Sept. 28), FSU defeated Ashland by a score of 3-0. In Saturday's (Sept. 29) match at Findlay, Ferris State rallied from a 2-1 deficit to force a fifth game before dropping a 3-2 decision. FSU is now 11-8 overall and 4-4 in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) action.

Two Home Wins Away From Milestone Victory - With a pair of home wins this weekend, Ferris State would notch its 200th victory at Ewigleben Sports Arena. Entering the week, FSU has an all-time mark of 198-53 (.789) in 21 seasons of action at the 600-seat facility.

The arena, located on the southwest edge of campus, is named after former FSU President Dr. Robert L. Ewigleben. The 12th president in university history, Ewigleben served in the position from 1971-83.

The Bulldogs have compiled five undefeated home seasons (1984, '87, '89, '90 and '96) in the volleyball-only facility and have hosted three NCAA Division II Regional Championship Tournaments since moving from the Health and Physical Education (HPE) Building in 1981. In six seasons under head coach Tia Brandel, Ferris State is 51-13 overall at Ewigleben Sports Arena. FSU is 6-1 at home this season and has won 10 home matches or more three-straight years.

Pickvet Raising Career Totals - Junior Kate Pickvet notched her 650th career kill in Friday's win over Ashland as she totaled nine kills on 17 attacks (.353) against the Eagles. The 5-11 Pickvet has recorded at least one kill in each of her past 44 outings. Besides raising her career kill totals, Pickvet is also close to hitting several other key career marks. She is 19 digs away from notching her 300th career dig and needs 31 blocks to surpass the 200 career blocks mark. Pickvet ranks third on the squad with 171 kills in 67 games (2.55 kpg) and 49 total blocks (0.73 bpg).

Fairbanks Has Best Day - Freshman Karla Fairbanks posted a career-high 13 kills on 31 total attacks (.323) in Friday's 3-0 victory over Ashland. Her previous high of 10 kills was recorded against Northern Michigan on Sept. 16. In addition to recording 13 kills, Fairbanks also totaled six digs and four service aces in the win. A 5-11 outside hitter, Fairbanks ranks fifth on the squad with 93 kills (1.55 kpg) in 19 matches. Fairbanks has also compiled 80 digs (1.33 dpg) and 33 total blocks (0.55 bpg) while starting five matches this season.

Minnis Leads The Way - Senior Erin Minnis led FSU last week as she totaled 29 kills, 22 digs and 12 total blocks in the three matches. Minnis needs 76 kills to become the 11th player in school history to eclipse the 1,000 career kills mark. She has appeared in 309 of the past 310 Bulldog games and has recorded one kill or more in each of the past 83 matches. A 6-0 middle hitter, Minnis leads the squad in digs with 152 (2.14 dpg) and total blocks with 92 (1.30 bpg).

Bulldog Bites - Ferris State had its 23-straight three-game match winning streak come to a halt against Grand Valley State .............. FSU has won the first game in 18 of 19 matches this season. GVSU has the only victory over the Bulldogs in game No. 1 .................. With three solo blocks last week, senior Erin Minnis has already matched her team-high output of 24 solo blocks a year ago ................ The Bulldogs are 28-10 in the first two games of matches this season ................. Senior Emily Williams is 10 digs away from recording her 100th career dig. Williams had a career-best three kills against both Grand Valley State and Ashland last week .......... Minnis posted her seventh double-double of the year against Findlay as she totaled 15 kills and 10 digs ............. Junior Erin Rind is 33 digs away from recording her 200th career dig ......... Minnis needs 44 digs to notch her 700th career dig.

Outstanding Success - FSU has had success against all three schools it will face this week. The Bulldogs own a 46-17 series lead versus Lake Superior State. Ferris State is 6-3 all-time against Gannon and 7-0 against Mercyhurst. FSU is 21-13 against LSSU in Sault Ste. Marie. The Bulldogs have won all three meetings in Big Rapids against Mercyhurst and are 3-1 at home versus Gannon. Head coach Tia Brandel is 12-1 in her career against Lake Superior State, 5-1 against Gannon and 6-0 versus Mercyhurst. Entering the week, LSSU is 13-5 overall and 2-4 in the GLIAC. Mercyhurst has a 12-11 mark and is 3-4 in conference play while Gannon is 6-8 overall and 2-5 in the GLIAC. FSU defeated Lake Superior State by a score of 3-0 on Sept. 14. Last year, the Bulldogs were 3-0 versus LSSU and defeated both Gannon and Mercyhurst.

Olds Notches 200th Dig - Junior Alaina Olds notched her 200th career dig against Findlay on Saturday. The 5-11 Olds totaled 28 kills, 26 digs and six total blocks in three outings last week. She leads the squad with 228 kills (3.26 kpg) and has recorded at least one kill in 35-straight matches. Olds has reached double-figures in kills in 14 matches this season.

Career Totals Speed Up - Junior Stephanie Speed earned her 400th career dig on Saturday against Findlay. A 5-8 outside hitter, Speed leads the squad in digs with 185 in 72 games (2.57 dpg). She has recorded 10 digs or more in nine matches this season. Speed also ranks fourth on the squad in kills with 134 (1.86 kpg) and is 20 kills away from notching her 200th career kill.

Next Week - Ferris State will host two GLIAC South Division opponents at Ewigleben Sports Arena. The Bulldogs will face Hillsdale on Friday (Oct. 12) at 7 p.m. and meet Wayne State on Saturday (Oct. 13) at 4 p.m.