Speed, a 5-8 outside hitter, will remain in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) as both Ferris State and Findlay are conference-member institutions. Speed will be eligible to play this upcoming season.
"We're excited to add Stephanie to our program and I believe she will compliment our team quite well," said Brandel. "Stephanie has considerable experience at the national level, especially from her playing club volleyball in Washington.
"Stephanie is a strong player. She's extremely quick and her experience level allows her to play a smart game," Brandel added.
As a freshman at Findlay last season, Speed recorded a .229 attack percentage with 528 kills (second on team) and 197 attack errors in 1,445 total attempts. She paced the Oilers in both service aces (94) and digs (656) while her 3.60 digs per game average (425 digs in 118 games) ranked eighth best among the conference's leaders. She also totaled 14 block solos and 36 block assists as UF placed fifth overall at the 1999 NAIA National Championships. Findlay concluded the 1999 campaign at 26-8 overall, including a 12-7 mark (second-place tie) in the GLIAC's South Division.
Speed, a 1998 all-state performer as a senior at Bothell High School under head coach Russ Kerwin, also attained first-team all-Eastside and King County Conference honors during her final prep campaign. She was the recipient of the Washington State WIAA Sportsmanship Award and was voted the team's most inspirational player by teammates. A two-year volleyball letterwinner, Speed holds school records in kills, hitting efficiency and service aces.
As an outside hitter with Club Vertical, Speed helped guide head coach Diane Flick's squad to a pair of regional championship titles. In her junior year, Club Vertical placed 13th at the national championships and then posted a 23rd-place finish as a senior.
Speed joins 5-10 outside hitter Annette Foster (Flint/Carman-Ainsworth), 6-0 outside hitter Nichole Valuch (Milwaukee, Wis./St. Francis Thomas More) and 5-9 setter Jamie Wirth (Reed City) as current members of the 2000 FSU volleyball class.
Ferris State compiled a 26-8 overall record in 1999 while making its first NCAA Division II Tournament appearance since 1992. The Bulldogs, who finished 14-5 in the GLIAC's North Division, competed in the conference's post-season tournament and advanced to the championship match for the second straight season.