Nov. 7, 2024
Standout Ferris State volleyball player Syann Fairfield’s strong family foundation helps her soar for top-ranked Bulldogs
Ferris State University volleyball standout Syann Fairfield knows she can always look to the stands for inspiration and support.
Her mother, Jenny DeJohn, rarely misses her daughter’s matches, home or away. Father Shane Fairfield is a highly successful head varsity football coach at Muskegon High School who led the Big Reds to the 2023 Michigan High School Athletic Association Division II state championship. He, too, is often nearby when his daughter needs a boost.
That support has helped the 6-foot tall Bulldog middle hitter soar to new heights with her teammates so far this fall.
Ferris State's volleyball team is undefeated, and this week was ranked No. 1 in the nation in the American Volleyball Coaches Association NCAA Division II poll. The university fields a perennially strong team, but this is just the second time the Bulldogs reached the top of the rankings.
"Growing up, I knew Ferris had great volleyball and football programs. My dad and T.A. (Ferris State football head coach Tony Annese) are super close,” Fairfield said. “It has been cool being here in Big Rapids. It feels like my second hometown. Having someone to always look up to and someone who's going to be there for you, and who is experienced in that sense. He has helped me as an athlete growing up. He understands how things work, how to handle adversity, and what comes with being an athlete in a team sport."
Before, and maybe sometimes during a match, Fairfield is at ease knowing she can find her mom, too, beaming a familiar smile with supportive energy.
"I think my mom has missed maybe one match, and that was, I think, my sophomore year on a trip to the U.P.,” Fairfield said. “She wasn't sure whether I was going to play and because she is also a teacher that makes it hard for her to get all those days off. This year she has been amazing and does not miss a game, does not miss a warmup, does not miss taking me to dinner after the games or anything. She is amazing. I'm grateful."
Fairfield is feeling the love from her parents and her older sister, Raven, among others.
"Because it's my senior year, I feel like everyone is making it such a priority, which is super special to me," she said with a smile.
Fairfield graduated from North Muskegon High School where she set the school's all-time kills record on her way to earning All-State recognition multiple times.
As a sophomore at Ferris State, Fairfield began to be recognized for her skills. She led the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 124 total blocks and the Bulldogs with 470.5 points. She finished the campaign with 363 kills and a team-best .272 hitting percentage.
Competing on a deep and talented Bulldog team, Fairfield continued her strong play the next season as she played in all 35 team matches and totaled 262 kills and a .277 hitting percentage. A well-rounded student-athlete, Fairfield was a GLIAC All-Academic team selection.
Last fall, Ferris State advanced to the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Tournament for the third straight season, falling by a 3-1 score to the University of Missouri-St. Louis, finishing the season 27-8.
In 2024, the Bulldogs are a particularly motivated group.
"We knew we had a tough schedule, and we know our conference is always good," Fairfield said. "We're always up against great competition. We weren't coming into the season expecting anything. We were coming into the year ready to work hard to get better every day and see where that takes us."
So far, it has taken Ferris State to rarely achieved heights. With or without that top national ranking, Fairfield feels fortunate to be a Bulldog.
"This season has been super special," she said. "I love being part of this team with this group. We have gone through all the ups and downs, coming in as freshmen, and now here we are in our 'Grandma season' of volleyball."
"Grandma season" referenced a comment by fellow senior Kaylee Maat, the Bulldogs' standout setter, about a well-seasoned group of experienced seniors getting going this fall.
Beyond the gratification of competing with a group of seniors who have been together through thick and thin, Fairfield is excited about how the team plays together.
"I think one thing that has made it special is that we have different players who are stepping up, playing their roles and making plays to help us be successful," she said. "No matter who is in the game, we all work hard and play well together and support each other. We're always pushing each other to be at our best."
Ferris State is off to a 24-0 start, including a 13-0 mark in the GLIAC heading into a home contest on Friday, Nov. 8, at 5 p.m. and on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 9, at 5 p.m., against Michigan Tech University.
So far, the battle-tested Bulldogs have only been stretched to five sets twice in the face of a rigorous schedule that will only get tougher.
"We have won a lot of games, but that's not what really matters," Fairfield said. "What really matters is coming to the gym every day, working hard, getting better, noticing what we can do to improve. We will continue to work toward our goals and keep improving."