FERRIS WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL DUO EARNS ALL-REGION KUDOS

Karla Fairbanks & Danielle Baucher Among AVCA All-Great Lakes Region Selections

Senior outside hitter Karla Fairbanks was named to the AVCA Division II All-Great Lakes Region First-Team for the second consecutive season

Senior outside hitter Karla Fairbanks (Rogers City) of the 2004 Ferris State University women’s volleyball team has been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II All-Great Lakes Region First Team for the second consecutive season in an announcement made by the AVCA.

Fairbanks, who became the 11th player in the nine-year tenure of FSU head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm to earn first-team regional recognition last season, was among 12 individuals garnering first-team accolades and one of three repeat selections. Six other players received honorable mention laurels, including FSU sophomore outside hitter Danielle Baucher (Kalamazoo/Mattawan). By attaining first-team all-region honors, Fairbanks is now eligible for AVCA Division II All-America consideration.

A 2003 AVCA Honorable Mention All-America honoree, Fairbanks concluded her career ranked third on Ferris' all-time chart with 1,649 career kills. The 5-11 Fairbanks posted 20 or more kills in 15 of her last 23 appearances this season while totaling a personal career-high 538 kills. She was 53 digs away from becoming only the sixth player in school history to record both 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs. In addition, Fairbanks netted 185 career service aces and ranks fourth on FSU’s all-time list.

A two-time (2003-04) All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) First-Team honoree, Fairbanks placed second overall among the league leaders in kills (4.85 kpg) and third in aces (0.59 apg) this season. She was named GLIAC North Division Player of the Week four times this campaign and garnered NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region All-Tournament Team recognition.

The 5-10 Baucher compiled a team-high 416 digs during the 2004 campaign and placed second among FSU's kills leaders with 340 kills. She registered 20 double-figure kill outings and 24 double-digit dig performances while starting 29 of 32 matches. A 2004 All-GLIAC Second-Team honoree, Baucher tallied 16 double-double (kills & digs) outings this season and presently has 590 career kills along with 730 career digs. Her 416 digs this season were the most recorded by a Bulldog player since Sherri (Maus) Harris netted 498 in 1998.

Ferris State concluded the 2004 campaign with a 25-7 overall record, including a second place 14-4 GLIAC North Division mark. FSU, which won its first-ever GLIAC Tournament title this season, also advanced to the NCAA-II National Tournament for the 12th time in school history and was ranked 16th in the latest (Nov. 16) CSTV/AVCA Division II National Poll.