For the first time in 11 years, Bulldog volleyball moves on to the NCAA DII Elite Eight after ousting the Findlay Oilers from the tournament by a score of 3-2.
Saturday night’s victory over the Oilers was Ferris’ fourth match of the year that has gone to five sets. The Bulldogs have reached the Midwest Regional for three years in a row. However, all three appearances ended in defeat until now.
After back-to-back set wins from the Oilers, the Bulldogs were pushed to the brink of elimination for the first time this tournament. The 2-1 deficit wasn’t strong enough to break Ferris’ season, as they rallied to take the next two sets and the match.
Like the entire contest, the first set was a back-and-forth affair. A 7-4 Findlay lead turned into a 16-15 Bulldog lead. The advantage continued to swap hands until a 24-24 tie allowed the Bulldogs to take the set 27-25.
Findlay was able to control sets two and three. The Oilers tied the match up at 1-1 after answering Ferris and holding a three-point cushion through the entire set. After growing a 22-12 lead in the third set, Findlay’s largest lead of the night, the Oilers took the third set and were one point away from bouncing the undefeated Bulldogs from the tournament.
After dropping two straight sets, something the Bulldogs had only allowed twice this season, they claimed victory in the fourth set. The Bulldogs never let the Oilers within four points during the set while putting together a 22-13 lead. Findlay’s pushback was all for naught, as Ferris forced a winner-take-all fifth set by winning 25-21
The Elite Eight deciding fifth set had Findlay jump out to a 6-1 lead before Ferris used a timeout. The break seemingly rejuvenated the Bulldogs, as they erased the deficit and took a 10-9 lead. Findlay never regained the advantage after losing it. With the score 14-13, senior outside hitter Olivia Henneman-Dallape collected the Bulldogs’ 15th point to finish off the Oilers to take the set and the match.
Henneman-Dallape led the way for kills in the victory with 23 while fellow senior and record-breaking setter Kaylee Maat picked up 45 of the Bulldogs’ 58 assists.
Head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm believes the toughness of the Midwest Region puts a feather in the team’s cap.
“Who wouldn’t be thrilled with winning a regional championship,” Brandel-Wilhelm said. “I feel our region is so strong and to be able to come out on top of this group of teams, it just feels like a huge honor. I feel very lucky that this team gets to be a part of it.”
For the first time since 2013, Ferris will play in the Elite Eight. The team heads to Sioux Falls, S.D. on Thursday, Dec. 12. Their opponent is yet to be announced.