Top-Seeded Ferris State Advances In GLIAC Tourney; Will Host Semifinals & Finals This Weekend

Postgame Interview & Highlights 

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — The top-seeded Ferris State University women's volleyball squad moved on in the 2025 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament and earned the right to host the semifinals and finals this weekend with a hard-fought 3-1 home win over Purdue Northwest on Wednesday (Nov. 19) evening inside Bulldog Arena.

With the win, the Bulldogs will now host this weekend's league final four, starting on Saturday (Nov. 22). FSU will face fourth-seeded Grand Valley State in the first semifinal match at 4 p.m. (ET) with second-seeded Wayne State meeting sixth-seeded Parkside at 6:30 p.m. (ET). The championship match is set for Sunday (Nov. 23) at 4 p.m. (ET) in Big Rapids.

FSU triumphed over eighth-seeded Purdue Northwest, winning by scores of 26-24, 23-25, 25-16, and 27-25. The Bulldogs recorded a hitting percentage of .256 and totaled 14 team blocks, leading to their victory. The Pride countered with a .168 hitting percentage and 54 kills, but fell short in the four-set match.

The first set saw Ferris State rally from a deficit to claim a narrow victory over Purdue Northwest, 26-24. Anika Huelskamp of the Pride made a strong start with multiple kills, contributing to an early lead. However, the Bulldogs responded with a series of kills from Gabby Piazza and Lillian Peterson, leveling the score mid-set. Late in the set, Ferris State capitalized on consecutive attack errors by Huelskamp, with blocks from Peterson and Hayley Wegener playing a crucial role. The home team secured the set after another attack error from Huelskamp, sealing a tense finish.

Purdue Northwest secured a tight victory over Ferris State in the second set, ending 25-23. The Pride initially pulled ahead with a 9-3 run, including kills by Huelskamp and Arra Cottrell, both assisted by Marina Gronkiewicz. Ferris State rallied back, tying the score at 15-15, largely due to Piazza's multiple kills and a service ace from Emma Bleecher. Despite the Bulldogs' efforts, including a late kill by Emily May, Purdue Northwest clinched the set with a decisive kill by Allyson Cathey, again assisted by Gronkiewicz.

Ferris State secured a decisive victory in the third set against the Pride with a 25-16 scoreline. The set saw Piazza open with a kill from Wegener, establishing early momentum. Despite a brief lead by Purdue Northwest, Ferris State regained control with a series of key plays, including a service ace by Bleecher, and a string of blocks involving Peterson and May. The Bulldogs continued to build their lead with consistent defensive pressure and effective attacks, culminating in a block by Logyn Geren and Bleecher to close the set.

FSU closed with a tense 27-25 victory in the fourth set against the Pride, overcoming a late surge by the visitors. Both teams exchanged leads, with Wegener contributing with multiple key assists, including a crucial kill by Piazza to make it 26-25. Huelskamp had a strong showing with multiple kills but committed several attack errors late in the set. The decisive moment came when May and Peterson blocked Huelskamp's final attack, sealing the set and the win for Ferris State.

Wegener excelled with a perfect hitting percentage, contributing eight kills on as many attempts, and orchestrated the offense with 39 assists. Piazza led the team in scoring with 20.5 points, adding 20 kills on 55 swings. Hope Davies anchored the defense with a team-high 25 digs, while May and Peterson strengthened the net defense with five and nine total blocks, respectively.

Gronkiewicz led Purdue Northwest with 41 assists and posted a .429 attack percentage after converting three of seven attack attempts without an error. Livia Thomsen contributed significantly on defense, recording 25 digs and four service aces. Huelskamp led all players with a total of 16 points, supported by 15 kills over 49 attack attempts. Kennedy Rowzee was efficient at the net with a .400 hitting percentage, adding 10 kills and four block assists to her performance. Cottrell added depth with 12 kills and three block assists, contributing 14.5 points.

With the victory, the Bulldogs improved to 23-6 overall this year. Ferris State is currently ranked third in the latest NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Rankings unveiled this week. The winner of this weekend's GLIAC Tournament will receive an automatic bid into the NCAA Division II Tournament.

Tickets for the GLIAC Tournament Semifinals and Finals will go on sale Thursday at FerrisStateBulldogs.com/Tickets.