October 31, 2025
Ferris State volleyball standout Hayley Wegener watched and learned as a freshman, preparing to be a team leader today
Hayley Wegener is helping to pave the way for the Ferris State University volleyball team following her first season, when she played behind some of the program’s best players.
As a red-shirt freshman on a team dominated by seniors, Wegener learned from star-studded teammates during a historical run. The Bulldogs finished 2024 with a 34-1 record while claiming the NCAA Division II Midwest Region championship, and the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament and regular season titles – which all contributed to the program’s best season in history.
The six-foot sophomore from Ravenna has since been relied on as a go-to player for head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm. Wegener noted that the support from her current and former teammates, and her coach, has eased the transition into her leadership role this year.
"It was super cool having the big leaders we had on our team for us to look up to," Wegener said. "It was always super nice having Kaylee (Maat) around. Having her around this year (as an assistant coach) is a big help and just a lot of supportive teammates."
The team was led by eight seniors in 2024, including Olivia Henneman-Dallape, who would earn GLIAC and American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II National Player of the Year accolades. Claire Nowicki, Syann Fairfield, Leah Bylut, Chelsie Freeman and Hannah Tecumseh also made their marks in the program, most notably during their final season.
Wegener has spent hours absorbing every bit of knowledge she could while honing her skills during practices and workouts. Among other things, she’s also learned that poise under fire is a positive attribute for a player who frequently finds herself in the middle of the action at the setter position.
"I feel like I have super-calm energy and kind of an even-keeled way," Wegener said. "I always like to be strategic on the court with my play."
That strategy started much sooner than her collegiate career, as Wegener earned All-Conference and All-Region honors while playing at Coopersville High School.
Wegener played in 27 matches and finished with 123 assists and 18 digs in her first stretch of action for Ferris State last year. She’s stepped up and continued to channel on-court energy this fall, as the Bulldogs are currently 18-4 overall (9-1 GLIAC) and ranked 14th in the nation in the AVCA Division II Poll heading into the weekend.
Through those 22 matches, Wegener has 758 assists, 84 kills, 38 total blocks and 26 service aces. She’s also been twice-named GLIAC Setter of the Week (Oct. 13 and Oct. 20) and is quick to credit her individual accolades to her teammates.
"It's super exciting having a lot of different people to go to… It just makes it really fun, and being able to switch things up is super cool," Wegener said. "I'm so grateful to be part of this team."
Off the court, her attention to detail in the classroom was recently recognized after being named a GLIAC All-Academic Selection as she pursues a degree in accounting.
"My future goal is to be a CPA (Certified Public Accountant)," Wegener said.
In a tight GLIAC race, the first-place Bulldogs have another big weekend of action. Ferris State will hit the road to face second-place Wayne State on Friday, Oct. 31, for a 7 p.m. match and follow it up with a rivalry contest at third-place Grand Valley State Saturday, Nov. 1., at 3 p.m.