BLOG 1: Bulldogs all set to open the 2008 volleyball season

By Sandy Gholston

BIG RAPIDS – Ferris State University is gearing up for the start of the 2008 fall season with five matches in three days inside Ewigleben Sports Arena.

Ferris State University volleyball head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm talks with members of her team during a home match last season in Ewigleben Sports Arena. (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

The campaign begins Thursday (Aug. 28) as the Bulldogs play host to Aquinas in a non-league affair beginning at 7 p.m. After 13th-year head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm's squad opens against the Saints, Ferris plays four matches in two days as part of its traditional Ferris State Invitational. The team hosts Indiana (Pa.) Friday at 2 p.m. and Wheeling Jesuit (W.Va.) later that day beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday, the action continues as the Bulldogs host national power Minnesota-Duluth at 12 p.m. and concludes its day and the invitational with a 2:30 p.m. contest against Urbana (Ohio).

Beginning the season always is exciting for the team and fans as everyone starts off with all kinds of optimism. Like many observers, I will be very interested to see how Ferris' new recruits blend in with the team's veterans. Senior setters Andrea Rich and Candice Marut (both of whom have the athletic ability to play as hitters, too, in situations) are joined by juniors Kristy Gilchrist (a fifth-year player), Katie Edwards, an outside hitter; Amanda Kettlewell, also an outside hitter; and Sarah Lark, who plays in the middle.

Rich and Marut have been named co-captains as Ferris hopes to begin to realize its youthful potential this season – aided by a solid core of experience.

As a result of strong recruiting efforts, Ferris has added a class of five freshmen to complement several first-year players from last season who redshirted as part of a large recruiting class.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com