VOLLEYBALL: Scouting This Week's Competition

Here is a scouting report put together previewing Ferris State University's non-conference regional competition.

The Bulldogs have had success against two of the three opponents it will face this weekend in Illinois. Head coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm (pictured) has a 3-0 record against Missouri-St. Louis and a 2-0 record against Wisconsin-Parkside. She is going into her first action against Rockhurst, which has traditionally been a solid program.

This should be a good weekend of action for the Bulldogs on the volleyball court.

Here is the scouting report as compiled by Ferris Athletics Communications:

Missouri-St. Louis: Ferris State has a 5-0 lead against Missouri-St. Louis in an all-time series, which includes a 5-0 road/neutral site mark. The Bulldogs claimed a 3-2 triumph over UMSL last season (Oct. 16) in a 2009 Asics GLVC/GLIAC Crossover Tournament contest in Lansing, Mich. Missouri-St. Louis extended its current winning streak to four as the Tritons posted a 3-0 conference road decision over Drury last Saturday (Oct. 9) in Springfield, Mo., in improving its overall record to 14-3 overall and 7-1 in the GLVC. The Tritons, who are coached by third-year head coach Trent Jones have won 10 of their last 11 matches to date with the lone setback occurring in a 3-1 league match at Indianapolis (Sept.25). Tia Brandel-Wilhelm vs. UMSL - 3-0.

Rockhurst: This Friday's (Oct. 15) tilt will mark the first-ever meeting between the two schools. The Hawks currently sport a 16-5 record overall this campaign, which includes a 5-3 ledger in the GLVC, under the direction of 23rd-year head coach Tracy Rietzke. RU has won six of its last nine matches to date despite falling 3-0 on the road to nationally-ranked Central Missouri Tuesday (Oct. 12) in Warrensburg, Mo. Tia Brandel-Wilhelm vs. RU - 0-0.

Wisconsin-Parkside: The Bulldogs have a 13-0 lead over Wisconsin-Parkside in their all-time series but haven't faced the Rangers since 2002. In the most recent meeting, FSU registered a 3-0 victory at the 2002 GLIAC/GLVC Challenge (Sept. 13) in Allendale, Mich. UWP has produced a 13-6 overall mark and is 5-3 in GLVC matches to date this fall. The Rangers claimed a 3-0 non-league victory over Saint Xavier (Ill.) Tuesday (Oct. 12) and have come away victorious in 10 of their last 13 outings. Tia Brandel-Wilhelm vs. UWP - 2-0.

There should be some good action in Illinois.