Senior hitter Sarah VanderMolen was voted Most Valuable Player by her teammates. VanderMolen finished her Ferris State career as one of the premier players in school history. During the 2000 campaign, the tri-captain became the fifth player in the 28-year history of the Ferris State volleyball program to record both 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs. She finished her career seventh on the all-time kill chart (1,245 kills) and eighth on the career digs chart (1,054 digs). A two-time All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) selection, VanderMolen was also named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Great Lakes Region squad for the second-consecutive season.
The Coaches Award was presented to sophomore Alaina Olds. Head coach Tia Brandel and her staff gave Olds the award after a very productive season. The 5-11 middle hitter had 215 kills in 101 games this season (2.13 kpg). She also ranked second on the squad in total blocks (110) and led Ferris State in blocks per game (1.09 bpg). Against nationally-ranked Northern Kentucky on Sept. 9, Olds had a career-high 20 blocks to record the second-best single-match total in school history. She reached double-figures in kills in nine matches this season.
Sophomore Stephanie Speed was given the Bulldog Award, which is presented to the squad member who competes with the determination and spirit of the original Bulldogs who were bred to fight bulls. Speed made an immediate contribution in her first season at Ferris State. A 5-8 outside hitter, she played a variety of roles. She had 46 kills, 218 digs and 29 service aces. Speed also had six double-figure dig matches. In the final match of the season at the conference tournament, she had 32 digs to post the third-best single-match dig performance in school history.
The FSU President's Academic Award was presented to Olds by Carma Burcham, Assistant to the Registrar for Athletic Eligibility. Olds recorded the highest grade point average on the squad. Dean's Academic Awards were give to Olds, senior Morgan Buckner, junior Erin Minnis, sophomore Angie Desmarais and freshman Sarah Dehring. All five players recorded at least a 3.25 GPA.
Buckner, VanderMolen and Libby Martz received Senior Awards for their outstanding contributions to the Bulldog volleyball program. The three players finished their Ferris State careers with a four-year mark of 86-45 (.656). The trio served as tri-captains this past season as the Bulldogs finished 21-9 overall and reached the quarterfinals of the GLIAC Tournament.
In compiling 21 victories during the 2000 campaign, the Bulldogs also recorded the 14th 20-win season in the 28-year history of the program. Three of those 20-win seasons have came under Brandel. The 2000 squad also recorded the best start in school history at 10-0.