FERRIS STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM INKS RACHEL FOLCIK

Carney-Nadeau High School Standout Signs National Letter-of-Intent With Bulldogs

The Bulldog women's basketball team added Carney-Nadeau High School standout Rachel Folcik

The 6-1 Folcik averaged 21.5 points and 9.4 rebounds per game while leading Carney-Nadeau High School to a 23-1 overall record and a regional tournament appearance as a senior during the 2003 campaign. Folcik, who attained first-team 2003 Associated Press Class D All-State kudos for the second consecutive season, added 141 steals, 98 assists and 33 blocks in her final campaign under head coach Paul Polfus. The second-team 2003 Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM) Class D All-State pick has been invited to participate in both this summer’s BCAM and Upper Peninsula Classic All-Star contests.

“We’re expecting Rachel to vie for significant playing time based on her size and skill level,” Fisk said. “She’s a well-coached competitor who’s had outstanding success throughout her prep career. If Rachel makes a smooth adjustment to the collegiate level, she could make an immediate impact in our league.”

Folcik, who attained both first-team 2003 Skyline and Central Upper Peninsula Conference (CUPC) accolades for the fourth straight season, totaled 20.5 points along with eight rebounds per contest in 2002 as the Wolves advanced to the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Class D State semifinals before finishing with a 25-2 overall mark. She helped CNHS claim the 2001 MHSAA Class D State Championship and a 26-1 overall record by recording 12.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per outing. The two-time (2002-03) CUPC Most Valuable Player Award recipient also garnered league all-defensive team and conference sportsmanship award laurels in 2003. As a freshman (2000), Folcik recorded 15.3 points and a personal career-high 10.4 rebounds a game.

“Rachel’s a versatile player and we anticipate her playing a post position,” said Fisk. “She’s strong down low, rebounds well and handles the ball in the open floor. Her versatility allows her to pull outside, shoot the three-point shot and create openings for her teammates.

“She’s also a good passer and extremely unselfish with the ball,” Fisk added.

A 2003 All-Upper Peninsula Dream Team honoree, Folcik twice attained team Most Valuable Player Award kudos in addition to being an honorable mention 2001 Detroit News and Detroit Free Press Class D All-State recipient. She currently holds the school’s single-game field goal record (18) and helped the Wolves receive Class D Team of the Year Award recognition in 2001. Folcik also participated in volleyball, cheerleading along with track and field during her prep career.

Besides athletics, Folcik was active in the school’s National Honor Society, dance team and yearbook organizations. She served for three years as class president and was named CNHS’ 2004 homecoming queen. Folcik, who’s the daughter of John and Joanne Folcik, remains undecided on an academic major. She joins Lindsey Deyo (Battle Creek/Gull Lake), who inked with the Bulldogs during the fall 2003 signing period, as FSU’s 2004-05 recruits to date.

The Bulldogs, who concluded the 2003-04 campaign with a 21-10 overall record, compiled a second-place 14-4 GLIAC North Division mark and reached the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament for the second time in school history. The 2003-04 campaign, which was the program’s 30th anniversary season, marks the eighth consecutive year the Bulldogs have won 10 or more games and their second 20-win campaign in the last five seasons.