VOLLEYBALL: Lark, Ruttle Are Solid Captain Choices

BIG RAPIDS - Ferris State University recently announced its volleyball captains for the fast-approaching 2009 season.

Here is the official release:

The Ferris State University women's volleyball program will have senior Sarah Lark (Alma) and junior Dana Ruttle (Reed City) serve as co-captains for the upcoming 2009 season as announced by FSU head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm.

Lark (pictured top), a three-time (2006-08) Bulldog letterwinner, brings a considerable amount of experience to the 2009 squad with 76 matches played over the last three seasons. The 5-11 middle hitter turned in her most productive season as a Bulldog last fall with career single-season highs in kills (151), hitting percentage (.208), assists (32), service aces (10), digs (40), block assists (49), and total blocks (52). She competed in all of the team's 29 contests a season ago, which included 11 matches in a starting role. Her total blocks ranked fourth most on the 2008 team while her kills output was the fifth highest.

For her career, Lark has accumulated 281 kills, a .170 attack percentage, 50 assists, 15 service aces, 78 digs, 13 block solos, 88 block assists, and 101 total blocks in 214 sets. She received Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) All-Academic Team recognition for her 2007 sophomore season.

Like Lark, Ruttle (pictured bottom) also enjoyed her best season ever in a Ferris State uniform last season with career highs in about every statistical category. The 5-7 libero registered season bests in service aces (24), digs (164), block assists (one), and kills (two) in 28 appearances. A 2008 FSU Coaches Award co-recipient, Ruttle finished third among last season's leaders in service aces while placing fourth in digs. She collected 10 or more digs in a match on nine occasions.

A two-time (2007 and 2008) GLIAC All-Academic Team honoree, Ruttle has generated 177 digs while totaling 27 service aces and 19 assists in 44 career outings. The two-year (2007-08) FSU letterwinner was redshirted for her initial 2006 collegiate campaign.

It's great to see Sarah and Dana get this distinction. Both are hard-working student-athletes dedicated to being student-athletes and leading this Bulldog volleyball program.

Watching both emerge as leader types at this stage of their careers is a testament to going through the Ferris volleyball program and coming out stronger than when they came in.