Ferris improved to 17-7 overall with two victories this weekend
Ferris got off to a quick start, defeating Southern Indiana 3-0 in straight sets. Senior middle hitters Kristy Gilchrist and Sarah Lark, along with junior middle hitter Arielle Goodson, each had 10 kills to lead the team. Redshirt freshman Samantha Fordyce tallied 39 of the team’s 42 assists.
The second match proved to be much more difficult for the Bulldogs, as they scratched out a 3-2 victory over Missouri-St. Louis. Ferris trailed 1-0 after dropping the first set 25-12, but regained control by winning the next two sets. Missouri-St. Louis forced a decisive fifth set and the Bulldogs won it by a 15-13 score.
Sophomore Lisa Tobiczyk led the team with seven service aces and chipped in 10 digs as well. Senior outside hitter Katie Edwards and sophomore outside hitter Ashley Huntey recorded 10 kills each for the Bulldogs. Tobiczyk said the team never gave up, even when they trailed.
“It was great to come out on top after Friday’s five set match against Missouri-St. Louis, especially after being down in the fifth game,” said Tobiczyk.
The Bulldogs carried a five-game winning streak into the final contest of the weekend against Lewis University (Ill.). The 13th-ranked Lewis Flyers ended the streak with a 3-0 win over the Bulldogs. Ferris fought Lewis to the wire, losing the third set 31-29. The Flyers had won 17 consecutive matches prior to the contest and are the top seeded team in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
“Saturday was a tough loss, but we learned some important things that will help us in our upcoming GLIAC matches,” said Tobiczyk.
The Bulldogs finish the regular season with contests against the other five teams in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC) North Division. Ferris is currently tied for the division lead with Saginaw Valley State, Northern Michigan, and Grand Valley State.
The final stretch of games will decide the winner of the GLIAC North Division. Ferris visits Grand Valley on Friday for a match that will leave one of the teams in at least a tie for first place. The Bulldogs lost 3-2 to Grand Valley at home earlier this season.
“Our success in these last five matches is very important because the standings will help place who will be in the conference playoffs,” said Tobiczyk.