The Ferris women’s volleyball program recorded its 12th consecutive winning season during the 2009 season with an overall record of 19-12 and will look to build off the success in 2010.
The Bulldogs also made their 12th consecutive Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament (GLIAC) appearance and 15th NCAA Division II tournament showing during the 2009 season. Ferris is 7-15 overall in NCAA Division II tournament play. The Bulldogs claimed the programs ninth GLIAC Championship in 2004 by winning the leagues postseason tournament. The team will have eight returning upperclassmen, seven underclassmen, and two incoming recruits for the 2010 season.The Bulldogs will have some big match-ups during the 2010 season as they will face off against GLIAC rivals Saginaw Valley State and Grand Valley State during the season.
The Bulldogs have not beaten Saginaw Valley since September of 2008. The Cardinals will be the team to beat in the North Division, as they earned the title of North Division champion for the 2009 season.
Grand Valley, the North Division league champions in 2008, has been a difficult team for Ferris to beat in the past, with many of the matches resulting in close finishes. Ferris lost against Grand Valley 3-1 and 3-2 during last season’s campaign. Ferris dropped a 3-1 contest early in the GLIAC Championship quarterfinals against South Division winner Hillsdale during the 2009 season. Hillsdale defeated Saginaw Valley for the GLIAC Championship last year.
For head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm, this season will mark her 15th year at Ferris as the leader of the Bulldogs volleyball program. She has guided the program to six NCAA Division II tournament appearances, one GLIAC championship, and 12 consecutive GLIAC Championship tournament appearances in her time as the Bulldog head coach.