BIG RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Wayne State University volleyball team (3-7, 0-2 GLIAC) concluded its GLIAC-opening weekend with a Saturday afternoon match at unbeaten and fourth-ranked Ferris State (10-0, 2-0 GLIAC). The Warriors fell in three sets by scores of 25-14, 25-23, 25-14.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first set was tied at 4-4 following a service ace from Ellie Rodriguez (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Catholic Central). The Bulldogs took a 12-7 lead after a 4-1 run. WSU stormed back to tie the game at 14-14 after a 4-0 run capped by another ace from Rodriguez. However, FSU would take the next 11 points to win the set 25-14.

After back-to-back FSU attack errors, which included a combo block by Emily Norscia (Livonia, Mich. / Livonia Churchill) and Michelle Asiedu (Holland, Ohio / Springfield), WSU led the second set 9-6. The Warriors led at 12-10, 13-12 and 14-13. Mikayla Shell (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) gave the Warriors their 14th and 15th points with a pair of kills. A 3-0 run tied the set at 21-21, which ended with an ace from Madison Kielty (Plymouth, Mich. / Canton). The Bulldogs closed the set on a 4-1 run to extend their match lead to 2-0.

The Warriors sprinted out to a 7-2 lead to begin the third set. The early run was powered by kills from Christa Raicevich (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. / Grosse Pointe North), Hannah Moore (Louisville, Ky. / Assumption) and Grace Frazee (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Grand Rapids Christian). Ferris State would responded and take a 9-8 lead and would not look back. The Bulldogs would collect their 10th win of the season with a 25-14 set three victory.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Four Warriors finished with five kills to lead the visitors including Moore, Raicevich, Shell and Norscia.
- Maddison Smith dished out 12 assists while Rodriguez was able to collect 12 digs.

TEAM NOTES
- WSU hit -.088 compared to FSU's .243 hitting percentage.

LEADING THE BULLDOGS
- Caroline Heitzman posted a match-high 10 kills on 27 swings.
- Stephanie Sikorski tallied 23 assists.
- Three Bulldogs collected 10 or more digs, led by 12 from Megan Vander Meer.

FROM COACH KOTH
"We competed exceptionally well today. Our defense was as solid as it has been all season. The difference was two service point runs by Ferris State in sets one and three that we were unable to overcome."

UP NEXT
WSU opens up its home schedule against Ursuline on Tuesday at 7 PM.