Olds Wins GLIAC Honor; Minnis Records 1,000th Kill

Oct. 22, 2001

The 5-11 Olds tallied two double-double performances as FSU swept Upper Peninsula foes Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan this past weekend. Olds compiled 13 kills and 16 digs on Friday night against Michigan Tech and added 12 kills and 14 digs on Saturday versus Northern Michigan as Ferris State defeated the Wildcats in Marquette for the first time since 1990.

It marks the second time this season Olds has been awarded the honor. She was previously named GLIAC North Division Player of the Week on Oct. 8. With the two wins, Ferris State improved to 17-9 overall and 10-5 in GLIAC play. FSU will host archrival Grand Valley State on Thursday (Oct. 25) at 7 p.m. at Ewigleben Sports Arena in Big Rapids, Mich.

FSU Volleyball at a Glance - The Ferris State University women's volleyball team returns home after a trip to the Upper Peninsula to face Grand Valley State at 7 p.m. on Thursday (Oct. 25) at Ewigleben Sports Arena in Big Rapids, Mich. The Lakers are ranked 15th in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II Top 25 Poll (Oct. 16) with a 24-2 overall record.

Last Weekend - Ferris State swept Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) North Division foes Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan this past weekend (Oct. 19-20) in the Upper Peninsula. On Friday (Oct. 19) night, FSU defeated the Huskies by a 3-0 score in Houghton. Ferris State traveled to Marquette on Saturday (Oct. 20) and defeated the No. 22-ranked Wildcats of Northern Michigan 3-0. The Bulldogs improved to 17-9 overall with the two victories over the weekend and have now won six of their past seven matches.

Big Weekend In Upper Peninsula - Prior to Saturday's win at nationally-ranked Northern Michigan, the Bulldogs had lost 10-consecutive matches in Marquette. The last time FSU defeated the Wildcats in the Upper Peninsula came during the 1990 campaign.

Combined with FSU's 3-1 win at Lake Superior State on Oct. 2, the 2001 campaign also marks the first time Ferris State has won at all three Upper Peninsula schools in the same season since 1990. The win over the Wildcats gave the Bulldogs a split in the season series and marks the second-straight season the two teams have split matches. Prior to the 2000 campaign, NMU had swept FSU three-straight seasons and had posted a seven-match series winning streak.

Friday's victory at Michigan Tech was FSU's fourth-straight in Houghton. The Bulldogs have now swept the Huskies three-consecutive seasons and have won seven of the past eight meetings.

Minnis Joins Exclusive Club - Senior Erin Minnis became the 11th player in school history to eclipse the 1,000 career kills mark on Friday as she totaled 10 kills against Michigan Tech. By recording 1,000 career kills, Minnis also became 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 (1997-00) notched her 1,000th kill as a senior last season. Minnis ranks second on the squad with 297 kills (3.16 kpg).

Olds Posts Impressive Numbers - Ferris State junior Alaina Olds recorded two double-double performances this past weekend to lead FSU. On Friday night, the 5-11 Olds tallied 13 kills and 16 digs against the Huskies. She added 12 kills and 14 digs versus Northern Michigan on Saturday. Olds has at least one kill in each of her past 42 outings and has reached double-figures in kills 20 times this season. She leads Ferris State with 326 kills (3.47 kpg) and 121 total blocks (1.29 bpg). Olds has reached double-digits in kills in five-straight matches.

The Other Numbers on Minnis - Besides notching her 1,000th career kill Friday night, Minnis also registered her 700th career dig against Michigan Tech. A returning All-Great Lakes Region selection (2000), Minnis is five blocks away from recording her 400th total block and needs three service aces to notch her 100th career ace. Minnis has appeared in 333 of the past 334 games for Ferris State and has competed in 105 matches over her four-year career.

Bulldog Bites - Junior Angie Desmarais is 22 digs away from registering her 200th career dig ............. Junior Erin Rind posted her 200th career dig in Saturday's win at Northern Michigan ........... Senior Emily Williams needs one dig to post her 100th career dig and is 12 assists away from notching her 300th career assist ........... The Bulldogs have won the first game in 24 of 26 matches this year and are 13-1 overall in three-game matches ....... Over the past two years, FSU has emerged victorious in 27 of 28 three-game outings ..... Minnis has recorded at least one kill in 90-straight matches ........... Head coach Tia Brandel is 10 wins away from posting her 250th career victory ............. FSU is ranked ninth in the latest Great Lakes Regional Rankings (Oct. 10) ......... The Bulldogs need three wins to post their fourth-straight 20-win campaign.

Bulldogs Set to Battle Lakers - Ferris State returns home to face nationally-ranked archrival Grand Valley State on Thursday at Ewigleben Sports Arena. The Lakers are ranked 15th in the latest national poll and lead the GLIAC North Division with a 24-2 overall mark and a 15-0 league play record. Earlier this season (Sept. 25), GVSU defeated the Bulldogs 3-0 in Allendale. The Lakers lead the all-time series 40-35 and own a 25-23 advantage in Big Rapids. At Ewigleben Sports Arena, Ferris State has won 12 of 20 meetings. Under head coach Tia Brandel, the Bulldogs are 3-8 against Grand Valley State. The Lakers have won three-straight series meetings and have captured five of the past six matches between the two schools. FSU has a 3-2 edge at Ewigleben Sports Arena in the Brandel era.

Speed Records 500th Dig - Junior Stephanie Speed had 20 digs against Michigan Tech and compiled her 500th career dig in the process. Speed has reached double-figures in digs in each of the past seven matches and leads the Bulldogs with 301 digs (3.14 dpg). The 5-8 outside hitter has recorded 10 digs or more in 16 matches this season and has five double-double (digs and kills) outings.

Pickvet Closing In - Junior Kate Pickvet is 17 blocks away from registering her 200th career block and is five digs short of her 200th career dig. Pickvet has recorded a kill in 51-straight matches and has reached double-figures in kills 11 times this season. This past weekend, the 5-11 Pickvet had nine kills against both Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan.

Next Week - Ferris State will host GLIAC North Division rivals Saginaw Valley State and Northwood at Ewigleben Sports Arena. FSU will host SVSU on Thursday (Nov. 1) at 7 p.m. and Northwood on Saturday (Nov. 3) at 4 p.m.