"Ashley is a great competitor and an outstanding person," Brandel said. "We are very excited that she is joining our volleyball program. She has a bright future at Ferris State."
A 5-9 setter, Green led Baldwin High School to a third-place finish in the 2000 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Volleyball State Championships, a runner-up finish in the 2000 Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) and a sectional title (2000).
A first-team 2000 WPIAL Class AAA All-Star honoree, Green was a second-team 2000 Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association (PVCA) Class AAA All-State selection. She received second-team 1999 WPIAL Class AAA All-Star accolades.
"Ashley is a young setter in terms of experience," Brandel said. "She has a strong presence on the court and has great leadership abilities. She will make tremendous strides in our program."
A four-year letterwinner, Green also participated in track, softball and basketball. During the off-season, she served as the first-team setter for the Pittsburgh Elite 18's Club Volleyball squad, which claimed the 2001 Ohio Valley Regional Championship. Green earned 1999 Most Valuable Player honors at an international volleyball camp (France) and qualified for the 2001 WPIAL Southern Regional Class AAA Track Championships (javelin).
Besides being a standout athlete, Green was active in the student council and served as class vice-president. A two-year member of the National Honor Society, Green plans to major in elementary education at Ferris State.
The daughter of Richard and Stephanie Green, Ashley joins Karla Fairbanks (Rogers City), Brittany Henson (Brighton), Marissa Leusby (Reed City), Sarah Miller (Bay City/John Glenn) and Becky Thurau (Troy/Birmingham Groves) as 2001 Ferris State volleyball recruits.
Ferris State finished the 2000 campaign with a 21-9 overall mark, which represented the 14th 20-win season in the 28-year history of Ferris State volleyball. Three of those 20-win campaigns have came under Brandel. The Bulldogs are 72-27 (.730) over the past three years and reached the quarterfinals of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament during the 2000 campaign.
The Bulldogs will officially begin their 29th season of varsity competition at Ewigleben Sports Arena in Big Rapids when they host the annual Ferris State Invitational (August 24-25).
"Becky is a hard worker with a huge amount of potential," Brandel said. "We are very excited that she is joining our program and we believe she will have a significant impact at Ferris State."
A 6-4 middle hitter, Thurau attained first-team Detroit News All-Metro honors during the 2000-01 campaign while being named the Most Valuable Player at Birmingham Groves High School. Besides earning all-metro recognition, Thurau also garnered 2001 Class A all-state honorable mention laurels and was a first-team all-region pick. She led the Falcons to a 30-11-3 overall mark as she compiled 300 kills, 72 service aces and 45 block assists in her final season.
A 2000-01 co-captain, Thurau received second-team all-area accolades (2001) and was named the Best Offensive Player at Birmingham Groves. During the 1999-2000 season, Thurau helped the Falcons win a district championship under head coach Mandy Battaglia.
"Becky is an athlete who will soak up coaching and thrive in the supportive environment of this program," Brandel said. "We look for her to make big strides quickly at FSU."
Besides being a standout athlete, Thurau was a member of Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) and helped her church youth group rebuild homes for elderly people. During the off-season, she competed on the Motor City Volleyball Club squad under head coach Ed Ruhl. Thurau also played one season of softball for the Falcons.
The daughter of Cheryl Raveschot, Becky joins Sarah Miller (Bay City/John Glenn), Karla Fairbanks (Rogers City), Brittany Henson (Brighton) and Marissa Leusby (Reed City) as 2001 Ferris State volleyball recruits.
Ferris State finished the 2000 campaign with a 21-9 overall mark, which represented the 14th 20-win season in the 28-year history of Ferris State volleyball. Three of those 20-win campaigns have came under Brandel. The Bulldogs are 72-27 (.730) over the past three years and reached the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament in 1999. This past season, the Bulldogs recorded the best start in school history at 10-0 and reached the quarterfinals of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament.
The Bulldogs will officially begin their 29th season of varsity competition at Ewigleben Sports Arena in Big Rapids when they host the annual Ferris State Invitational (August 24-25).
"Brittany will bring a special presence to our program," Brandel said. "She's athletic and a very hard worker. She will be a great force for our team and for Ferris State University."
A 5-11 outside hitter, Henson attained Class A all-state honorable mention honors this past season. In four seasons, she helped the Brighton High School Bulldogs to a 47-1 record in the Kensington Valley Conference and four-consecutive district championships. She earned all-league laurels three-straight seasons and was a two-time all-region pick.
A four-year starter, Henson was voted Most Valuable Player for the Kensington Valley Conference during the 2000-01 campaign. Besides earning four-straight conference and district championships, Brighton won two regional championships and reached the Class A state quarterfinals in each of the past two seasons.
The sister of former University of Michigan quarterback and current professional baseball player Drew Henson, Brittany was a four-year starter in basketball at Brighton and competed on the varsity track team for two seasons. During the off-season, she competed on the Motor City Volleyball Club squad.
Henson, who was also active in the school choir and theater group, sang the national anthem before several high school games and won a first-place prize in the school talent show.
"She is an incredible person and a tremendously talented athlete," Brandel said. "I expect her to do great things during her career at Ferris State."
The daughter of Dan and Carol Henson, Brittany joins Sarah Miller (Bay City/John Glenn), Karla Fairbanks (Rogers City) and Marissa Leusby (Reed City) as 2001 Ferris State volleyball recruits.
Henson will be the latest college athlete in her family. In addition to her older brother, both her mother and father participated in intercollegiate athletics. Dan Henson played football at Central Michigan University while Carol was a standout basketball player for the Chippewas. Brittany was coached by her mother during her varsity basketball career at Brighton.
Ferris State finished the 2000 campaign with a 21-9 overall mark, which represented the 14th 20-win season in the 28-year history of Ferris State volleyball. Three of those 20-win campaigns have came under Brandel. The Bulldogs are 72-27 (.730) over the past three years and reached the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament in 1999. This past season, the Bulldogs recorded the best start in school history at 10-0 and reached the quarterfinals of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament.
"Karla is an outstanding competitor and a very strong player," Brandel said. "She will have an immediate impact in our program and we are excited to have her join our squad."
The 5-11 Fairbanks tallied 348 kills a year ago in leading Rogers City to its second-straight district championship, the Straits Area Conference title and a state semifinal appearance. In her first 25 outings this season, Fairbanks has registered 217 kills and 129 digs under head coach Kristy Smolinski.
In addition to being an all-state performer last season, Fairbanks was an honorable mention all-state pick in 1999 and has been the most valuable player at Rogers City the past three seasons. She also played 18 and under club level volleyball for Team Angle.
Besides being a standout on the volleyball court, Fairbanks has also been successful in both basketball and softball. She earned first-team all-state honors on the diamond during the 2000 campaign and was a prep all-state honorable mention selection on the basketball floor. She has been an all-conference honoree in all three sports.
Fairbanks is the daughter of Russell and Mary Fairbanks of Rogers City. She joins Sarah Miller of John Glenn High School in Bay City and Marissa Leusby of Reed City as Bulldog volleyball recruits.
Ferris State finished the 2000 campaign with a 21-9 mark. The Bulldogs recorded the best start in school history at 10-0 and reached the quarterfinals of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament.
In compiling 21 victories, the Bulldogs recorded the 14th 20-win season in the 28-year history of Ferris State volleyball. Three of those 20-win campaigns have came under Brandel. The Bulldogs are 72-27 (.730) over the past three years and reached the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament in 1999.
Miller, a 6-3 middle blocker at John Glenn High School in Bay City, Mich., was a first-team All-Region selection as a junior. She recorded 138 kills, 78 service aces and 73 solo blocks for the Bobcats last season. Brandel expects Miller to have a significant impact on the Ferris State volleyball program.
"Sarah is a very ambitious player and has high goals for herself," Brandel said. "We are excited to have her join our program and we are certain she will work diligently to accomplish those goals."
A member of the 1999-2000 Bay City Times "Dream Team", Miller has tallied many accomplishments during her John Glenn High School career. Besides being an all-region pick last year, the Bobcat captain was also a second-team All-Northeast Michigan Conference honoree for head coach Dan Pembroke as John Glenn recorded 17 wins.
According to Brandel, Miller has the necessary skills to be a productive player at Ferris State.
"Her height, work ethic and competitive nature will be tremendous assets to our team," Brandel said.
During the 1998-99 campaign, Miller was named to the all-conference honorable mention team. She has also played basketball for four years and is a member of the National Honor Society. In addition, she has been active in the John Glenn High School S.A.D.D. organization and has displayed work in the school art show.
The daughter of Terry and Susan Miller of Bay City, Miller has also played competitive volleyball as a member of the Valley Volleyball Club. For the past three years, she has filled the middle blocker role for Valley under coaches Jean LaClaire and Marion LaFave.
Miller will graduate in June from John Glenn High School.
Ferris State recently finished the 2000 campaign with a 21-9 mark. The Bulldogs recorded the best start in school history at 10-0 and reached the quarterfinals of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament.
In compiling 21 victories, the Bulldogs recorded the 14th 20-win season in the 28-year history of Ferris State volleyball. Three of those 20-win campaigns have came under Brandel. The Bulldogs are 72-27 (.730) over the past three years and reached the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament in 1999.
Leusby, a 5-10 outside hitter, joins current Bulldog players Emily Williams and Jamie Wirth as former Coyotes continuing their careers at Ferris State. Reed City graduate Libby Martz finished a stellar four-year career at Ferris State this past fall.
"Marissa is very familiar with our program," Brandel said. "She has been to our camps and clinics over the years and fits in well with our team."
At Reed City, Leusby did more than fit in. She was a two-time all-state and all-region selection. In addition, she was a three-time Western Waterways Activities Conference pick. Leusby led the Coyotes to three district titles, a regional title and a state runner-up finish during her Reed City career.
"Marissa is a high-quality athlete and we are very excited to bring her into our program," Brandel said. "She is a talented volleyball player and we are confident she will work hard to adapt to the faster pace and stronger play of the college game."
Besides being a standout on the volleyball court, Leusby also competed in basketball and track for the Coyotes. She was a two-time all-conference selection in basketball and was named to the Big Rapids Pioneer "Dream Team" in volleyball, basketball and track. She participated in all three sports for four years.
Leusby is the daughter of Larry and Linda Leusby of Reed City and joins Sarah Miller of John Glenn High School in Bay City as Bulldog volleyball recruits.