BIG RAPIDS - The SVSU volleyball team had a tough task at hand in its 2015 GLIAC opening match, as the Cardinals traveled to play the #4-ranked Ferris State Bulldogs on Friday night. In a matchup of two 8-0 teams, the Bulldogs would prevail with a score of 3-0.

Ferris claimed the first two sets with scores of 25-18 and 25-19, respectively before closing the contest out with a narrow 25-23 decision in the third frame.

Tamara Heller had a team-high seven kills for SVSU and added eight digs. She earned Chili's "Player of the Match" honors. 

Brooke Tiller had 12 digs for SVSU while Kelly Vellucci posted 16 assists and 10 digs of her own.

"We struggled to get our offense going tonight and they did a good job of keeping us off balance with their serving and blocking," said head coach Will Stanton. "We finally got some momentum in games two and three, but not enough to push the match longer. We need to rebound quickly, as we face another top team tomorrow and we will see what type of team we are with a little adversity."

Saginaw Valley (8-1, 0-1 GLIAC) continues to play Grand Valley State University (5-4, 1-0 GLIAC) on Saturday in a 4:00 p.m. match in Allendale.