Big Rapids, Mich. — The SVSU Volleyball team headed to the west side of the state Friday (Nov. 9) afternoon to take on the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament and No. 6 in the nation, Ferris State University.
The Bulldogs came out strong in the first set, pushing the lead to 10-6. SVSU began to creep their way back in with Sarah Tabit leading the way, coming within two points after an ace making the score 16-14.
Ferris began to pull away after the ace, outscoring the Cardinals 8-3, making the score 24-17. SVSU was not ready to give the home team the set just yet, as two huge blocks from Emily Friesl and Hannah Tabit and two Cardinal kills, gave SVSU a four point run to come within three of the Bulldogs, 24-21.
After a Bulldog timeout, FSU came out swinging on the first play, earning the victory 25-21.
Set two started off in a back and forth battle between the teams until the Bulldogs pulled away 17-12 at the SVSU timeout. Saginaw Valley would only earn another two points in the set with S. Tabit producing the only remaining kill for the Cards, while the final Saginaw point came from a double block from Kristen Huebner and Rachel Eisenhour.
Ferris State took the victory 25-14, going up 2-nil heading into the locker room break.
The execution was not strong enough again in the third set as the Bulldogs quickly jumped out to a 10-6 lead over the Cardinals. S. Tabit scored another four points for the Cardinals in set three, but the outside swings were not going to win the game alone as Saginaw Valley fell once again, 25-14, in the final set. This was only the fourth time this season that SVSU was swept in three straight sets.
Tonight's loss gave FSU a match victory 3-0 and a trip to the GLIAC Tournament Finals against underdogs No. 6 Davenport, who upset Michigan Tech in the second match of the night, 3-2.
After the conclusion of the match, Abbie Toland, Friesl, and S. Tabit, were all recognized as All-Conference players and received awards from the GLIAC Commissioner featured below.
Featured: Abbie Toland, Honorable Mention, Emily Friesl and Sarah Tabit, First-Team
Inside the Box Score:
- Toland earned player of the match for her valiant defensive efforts, leading the SV back line with 17 digs.
- S. Tabit led the Cardinal offense once again with 13 kills, hitting .229. She added three digs and an ace as well.
- Peyton Gerstacker produced her best night defensively since Sept. 21 with 13 digs for the Cardinals.
- Friesl hit .500 with nine kills on 18 attempts. She added four blocks as well.
- Eisenhour and H. Tabit each tallied three blocks. H. Tabit also earned the team-high of 22 assists.
- As for team blocking, SVSU out blocked the Bulldogs 7-6 in total blocks.
Up Next...
This contest concludes the Cardinal Volleyball 2018 GLIAC post season run. Stay tuned for updates as they arrive on svsucardinals.com.
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