December 6, 2025
Elite Eight: Ferris State volleyball team advances in NCAA DII tournament by winning Midwest Region title
The Ferris State University volleyball team is advancing to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for the second year in a row, defeating the University of Indianapolis 3-1 on Saturday to claim the DII Midwest Regional Championship.
With the victory, Ferris State advances to the DII Elite Eight slated to take place Dec. 11-13 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The matchups and match times will be determined on Sunday.
Ferris State captured the regional crown for the second year in a row, beating the Greyhounds 25-17, 25-20, 23-25 and 25-15 to cap off an impressive three-day run in the regional tournament.
The Bulldogs recorded 62 kills and 81 digs, led by a strong offensive and defensive performance. The Greyhounds' effort included 49 kills, but the Bulldogs' efficient attack percentage of .265 and seven service aces were decisive.
The first set of the match commenced with Ferris State taking an early lead, initiated by Emma Bleecher's service ace. The Bulldogs extended their advantage to 5-1, with contributions from Logyn Geren and Gabby Piazza.
Indianapolis rallied back, closing the gap to 8-7 thanks to a series of kills from Paige Parlanti and Maddie Lynch. Ferris State regained control with Bleecher's offensive performance, including consecutive kills that helped push the score to 14-11. Ferris State capitalized on several Greyhounds' errors, securing the set 25-17.
In the second set, Ferris State pulled ahead with a series of effective plays. Piazza contributed multiple key kills, including one from Hayley Wegener's assist that leveled the score at 6-6. The Greyhounds briefly regained the lead, but the Bulldogs responded with a 4-0 run, highlighted by an ace from Wegener, moving the score to 21-17 in their favor. Ferris State closed out the set with a kill by Emily May, securing a 25-20 victory.
Indianapolis secured a narrow victory in the third set, overcoming the Bulldogs 25-23.
Ferris State built momentum in the fourth set with a series of decisive plays, including kills by May, who scored four times. The Bulldogs capitalized on Indianapolis' errors, with Piazza and Geren contributing key points, helping the team build a lead.
Ferris State extended the advantage with service aces from Hope Davies and Geren. Despite the Greyhounds' attempts to close the gap, Ferris State maintained control and secured the set 25-15 with a final kill by Piazza, assisted by Wegener.
Bleecher recorded 12 kills and 19 digs, contributing significantly with 16 points. Wegener facilitated the offense with 47 assists and added 20 digs. Piazza led the Bulldogs in scoring with 18 kills, finishing with 20 points. Geren added 10 kills and two service aces to her performance.
Ferris State improved to 27-7 overall this year and won its third-straight postseason match in the tournament. This year marks Ferris State’s 14th consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament and the 29th appearance in program history.
Four Bulldogs claimed all-tournament team honors in the regional event, including Piazza along with Wegener, Geren and sophomore Lyndsey Urick.