September 4, 2025

Ferris State volleyball team, ranked No. 5 in the nation, opens 2025 season in Texas

The Ferris State University volleyball team, ranked No. 5 in the nation, opens its 2025 season with four matches this week at the Patriot Classic in Tyler, Texas.

The Bulldogs will compete in the event Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 4-6, at the University of Texas-Tyler.
Ferris State will open up the event facing host UT Tyler on Thursday with match time set for 8:30 p.m. On Friday, the Bulldogs will face Mississippi College beginning at 1 p.m. and University of Texas at Dallas starting at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs conclude the event on Saturday against the University of Central Oklahoma starting at 10 a.m. 

All matches from the tournament will be streamed live on FloCollege and live internet statistics will also be provided. Visit FerrisStateBulldogs.com for a listing of all coverage links.

Twelve matches will be played over the course of the three days at the Patriot Classic. Three teams taking part in the event are featured in the 2025 AVCA/TARAFELX Preseason National Rankings, including No. 5 Ferris State along with No. 7 Central Oklahoma.

The Bulldogs were picked second overall in the GLIAC in the league preseason coaches poll.

The volleyball squad capped off a memorable 2024 season with a 34-1 record, winning the Midwest Regional Championship for the first time since 2013 and reaching the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. 

Ferris State also reached the DII Sweet Sixteen for the fourth-straight year, made its 13th consecutive national tournament appearance along with the 28th in program history.

In addition, the Bulldogs also continued an impressive recent stretch by winning yet again the GLIAC Regular Season and Tournament Championships under National Coach of the Year Tia Brandel-Wilhelm.

The home opener is set for Sept. 19 against Michigan Tech University in the Bulldogs' initial GLIAC matchup of the year. Season and individual game tickets are on sale now.