CHARLOTTE’S ASHLEY OLLENBURGER COMMITS TO FERRIS STATE
First-Team All-Conference Honoree Added To Bulldogs’ 2004 Recruiting Class
The Ferris State University women’s volleyball program has signed Ashley Ollenburger (Charlotte) to a national letter-of-intent to attend and play volleyball at FSU, starting with the fall 2004 season. The announcement was made by the Bulldogs’ eighth-year head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm.
 Ollenburger, a 6-1 outside hitter, garnered honorable mention all-state and first-team All-Capital Area Activities Conference (CAAC) kudos following the 2002-03 campaign at Charlotte High School. The two-time (2002-03) team Most Valuable Player Award winner has twice attained all-region accolades.
“Ashley has an outstanding attitude and will be a great addition to our program,” said Brandel-Wilhelm. “Her enthusiasm and competitiveness will allow her to make a significant impact.”
A two-time (2002-03) CAAC All-Academic Team selection, Ollenburger has earned three varsity letters to date under head coach Dennis Richardson. The 2001-02 All-CAAC Third Team honoree has also served as team captain two consecutive seasons (2001-03) for the Orioles, who have received team academic all-state laurels each of the last two campaigns.
“I believe Ashley will compliment our team quite well,” Brandel-Wilhelm said. “She has a strong presence on the court and has great leadership abilities. We’re expecting her to make tremendous strides in our program.”
Ollenburger has also played USA Volleyball (USAV) for six years with her most recent team being the DIVA 18 and Under Select squad, which was coached by Jim Silsby.
In addition to volleyball, Ollenburger is a National Honor Society member and was recently crowned CHS’s 2003 Homecoming Queen. She has also served as a teacher’s aide.
Ollenburger is the daughter of Al and Yvonne Ollenburger and joins Andrea Zylstra (Muskegon/Mona Shores), Jessica Dezelski (Lake Ann/Traverse City West) and Candice Marut (Pinconning) as the Bulldogs’ 2004 signees to date. She remains undecided on an academic program.
Ferris State, which notched the program's sixth consecutive winning campaign with a 15-14 overall record in 2003, placed third (12-6) in the GLIAC’s North Division. The Bulldogs won 12 of their final 18 matches this season and return all 12 current squad members for the 2004 campaign.
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