Bulldogs Win Two of Three to Improve to 13-9

October 8, 2001

Last Weekend - The Bulldogs won two of three matches this past week as they improved to 13-9 overall and 6-5 in conference play. Last Tuesday (Oct. 2), FSU posted a 3-1 victory at Lake Superior State in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. On Saturday (Oct. 6), Ferris State defeated Mercyhurst 3-0 at Ewigleben Sports Arena. FSU fell to Gannon at home on Sunday (Oct. 7) by a score of 3-1. The Bulldogs have won three of their past five matches and are ranked ninth in the latest Great Lakes Regional Rankings (Sept. 26). New rankings are slated to be released on Wednesday (Oct. 10).

Olds Records Second Triple-Double Outing - Junior Alaina Olds notched her second triple-double performance of the year on Sunday as she tallied 17 kills, 12 digs and 10 total blocks in a 3-1 loss against Gannon.

In three weekend matches, the 5-11 Olds totaled 42 kills, 27 digs and 16 total blocks as FSU won two of three outings. Last Tuesday, Olds compiled 18 kills and nine digs in FSU's 3-1 win at Lake Superior State. After 22 matches, Olds leads the Bulldogs with 270 kills (3.33 kpg) and is second on the squad with 102 total blocks (1.26 bpg).

Olds is 16 kills away from recording her 600th career kill and needs 23 blocks to record her 300th career block. She has recorded at least one kill in 38-straight matches and has reached double-figures in kills 16 times this season. She notched her first triple-double of the year on Sept. 15 when she totaled 20 kills, 16 digs and 10 total blocks against Michigan Tech at Ewigleben Sports Arena.

Minnis Closing In On Century Mark - Senior Erin Minnis tallied 19 kills in Saturday's win over Mercyhurst and is 34 kills away from becoming the 11th player in school history to eclipse the 1,000 career kills mark. By recording 1,000 career kills, Minnis would be the third Ferris State player to surpass the century mark in the past three seasons. Former player Morgan Buckner (1997-00) recorded her 1,000th career kill during the 1999 campaign while Sarah VanderMolen (1999-00) notched her 1,000th kill as a senior last season. Minnis ranks second on the squad with 254 kills (3.14 kpg).

Still One Win Away - Ferris State remains one win away from recording its 200th victory at Ewigleben Sports Arena after Sunday's loss to Gannon. In 21 seasons of action at the 600-seat volleyball-only facility, the Bulldogs have compiled an all-time mark of 199-54 (.787). In six seasons under head coach Tia Brandel, the Bulldogs are 52-14 overall at Ewigleben Sports Arena. FSU is 7-2 at home this season and has won 10 home matches or more three-consecutive seasons. The arena is named after former FSU President Dr. Robert L. Ewigleben.

Super Outing For Speed - Junior Stephanie Speed posted a career-high 19 kills to lead FSU past Lake Superior State last Tuesday. Besides recording a career-high in kills, Speed also added 16 digs as she notched her second double-double outing of the season. The 5-8 outside hitter leads the Bulldogs with 230 digs (2.77 dpg) and ranks fourth on the squad with 158 kills (1.90 kpg).

Bulldog Bites - With Saturday's win, FSU improved to 8-0 all-time against Mercyhurst ........ Senior Erin Minnis has reached double-figures in kills in four-consecutive matches ............ Minnis has appeared in 320 of the past 321 Bulldog games and has one kill or more in 86-straight matches .............. Junior Stephanie Speed has reached double-figures in digs in three-straight matches and 12 times overall this season ........... Minnis has compiled 10 kills or more in 15 matches this year ................. Head coach Tia Brandel is 14 wins away from her 250th career victory ............... FSU is 13 matches away from participating in its 1,000th match. FSU has an all-time mark of 620-367 (.628) ........ Junior Angie Desmarais needs a single dig to notch her 150th career dig .......... Minnis is 26 digs away from posting her 700th career dig and 19 blocks away from her 400th career block.

Edge Goes To Ferris State - FSU has dominated the all-time series with Hillsdale entering Friday night's match. In 50 career meetings, the Bulldogs own a 42-8 advantage over the Chargers. At Ewigleben Sports Arena, FSU is 15-1 versus Hillsdale. Under head coach Tia Brandel, FSU is 8-1 against Hillsdale. Ferris State leads the series with Wayne State 35-27 heading into Saturday's contest. The Bulldogs are 16-6 against the Warriors in Big Rapids and have won 13 of 18 contests at Ewigleben Sports Arena. Brandel is 3-3 versus Wayne State. Hillsdale is 15-6 overall and 6-3 in GLIAC play entering the week. The Chargers posted a 3-0 win over No. 23-ranked Michigan Tech last weekend. Wayne State is 5-13 overall and 1-7 in league play. The Warriors were swept at home this past weekend by the three Upper Peninsula schools.

Pickvet Close To Career Marks - Junior Kate Pickvet had at least 10 kills in all three matches last week and is now 11 kills away from notching her 700th career kill. The 5-11 Pickvet needs 10 digs to record her 200th career dig and 25 blocks to compile her 200th career block. She has recorded at least one kill in each of the past 47 matches.

Williams Fills In Well - Senior setter Emily Williams had a career-high 40 assists in Sunday's match against Gannon as she filled in for injured starter Ashley Green. Williams also had eight digs in the match and is two digs away from recording her 100th career dig. Green appeared in only one game against Gannon as she suffered an ankle injury in Saturday's win over Mercyhurst.

Next Week - Ferris State will travel to the Upper Peninsula to face nationally-ranked Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan next weekend. The Bulldogs will play at Michigan Tech on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. and at Northern Michigan on Oct. 20 at 4 p.m.