WOMEN'S TENNIS: Ferris Earns NCAA Division II Tournament Bid As Expected

The Ferris State University women's tennis team

*Click Here For Official NCAA Announcement
*Click Here For Midwest Regional #1 Draw

Ferris State University's women's tennis team, as expected, is headed to the NCAA Division II Tournament as it was one of the 48 teams selected to compete for the championship this spring on the hard court.

The announcement was made official on Tuesday evening as the Bulldogs of head coach Alex Palladino, who finished the regular season with a 19-4 record, earned the No. 4 seed in the Midwest region and will face No. 5 seed Wayne State University (15-7) in the opening round as part of a three-team preliminary round draw on Monday, May 2 at 12 p.m. in Allendale, the home of host and top-seeded Grand Valley State University. The Lakers finished the regular season 30-0.

For more information, visit: http://www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com/sports/wten/2010-11/releases/2011042677ld3h

SOFTBALL: Look At NCAA Division II Midwest Region Rankings

Here is another look at the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Rankings (April 28) for college softball as Ferris State University and competitors inch toward the end of the regular season.

Division-II Midwest Region Rankings
Rank	School	Overall Record	In-Region Record
1	Indianapolis	29-10	20-7
2	Grand Valley State	32-8	28-7
3	Tiffin	29-12	24-8
4	Northern Kentucky	24-11	23-9
5	Northwood (Mich.)	21-16	19-15
6	Saginaw Valley State	26-14	26-14
7	Bellarmine	23-13	21-12
8	Wayne State (Mich.)	22-19	17-14
9	Ashland	21-11	19-9
10	Quincy	21-11	17-8

SOFTBALL: Bulldogs Seek Strong Finish In Last Six Scheduled Regular-Season Games

Ferris State University's softball team is set for a big stretch of games to finish the regular season with a four-game trip to southern Michigan against Hillsdale College (April 29-30) before the Bulldogs return home to face Northwood University in a doubleheader on May 1.

Head coach Keri Becker's Ferris squad is looking for a strong finish to the regular season as it desperately needs to come up with wins over two very capable opponents in a season that has been shortened considerably by a number of that have been rained out.

Apr. 29	at Hillsdale *		3:30 PM	Directions
	at Hillsdale *		5:30 PM	Directions
Apr. 30	at Hillsdale *		1:00 PM	Directions
	at Hillsdale *		3:00 PM	Directions
May. 1	Northwood *		12:00 PM	Live stats Directions
	Northwood *		2:00 PM	Live stats Directions

VOLLEYBALL: Webber Named Head Coach At West Catholic High School

Katie Webber, a former Ferris State University student-athlete, it was announced will become the new varsity girls volleyball head coach at West Catholic High School in

Grand Rapids.

Katie Webber will start her first season as the head varsity volleyball coach at West Catholic in the 2011 fall season. She is a 2010 graduate of Ferris State University after playing for the Bulldogs for five years in the GLIAC Conference.

Prior to joining the West Catholic staff, Webber served as the junior varsity coach at Cedar Springs High, and also has coached for a local club team. Webber has been coaching volleyball camps and clinics for six years for Ferris State, as well as for many other high schools throughout the state of Michigan. She was the

Head Director of the Ferris State University Volleyball Youth Program for the last two years while she was attending.

Webber earned her bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management and Leadership, with a concentration of Sports Management while attending Ferris State University.

Webber lives in Comstock Park with her husband Andy who is also involved with youth. coaching at St. Anthony of Padua. They share a strong passion in sports and the youth of the West Catholic community.

Webber, who played at Ferris as Katie Edwards, will no doubt be a great role model for the student-athletes at West Catholic. She has been well prepared for this challenge and should be ready to hit the ground running.

SOFTBALL: Ferris Seeking To Climb Into Regional Rankings

The 2011 NCAA Division II Midwest Region softball rankings are out (April 20) and Ferris State University has a glimpse of what it is up against as it enters the stretch run of the regular season and looks ahead to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Softball Tournament.

The Bulldogs just finished a four-game set with the top team in the region, Grand Valley, and still has contests scheduled against No. 7 Northwood University and No. 8 Wayne State University. So, Ferris will have its share of opportunities to climb up the rankings.

There is a lot of work to be done, but we've seen this squad is capable.

MIDWEST
1	Grand Valley State	25-6	29-7
2	Indianapolis	17-6	26-9
3	Tiffin	22-6	27-10
4	Northern Kentucky	21-9	22-11
5	Saginaw Valley	24-11	24-11
6	Bellarmine	21-10	23-11
7	Northwood (Mich.)	16-14	18-15
8	Wayne State (Mich.)	14-13	19-18
9	Ashland	18-8	20-10
10	Lewis	17-4	22-7

SOFTBALL: Ferris-Grand Valley Video Highlights

FOOTBALL: Crimson And Gold Spring Game Video Highlights

Here are some video highlights of the 2011 Crimson and Gold Spring Game at Ferris State University.

The video includes interviews with head coach Jeff Pierce and receiver Damien Miller.

SOFTBALL: Morris Featured In Grand Rapids Press Article

Ferris State University junior first baseman Chelsea Morris recently was featured in an article published by the Grand Rapids Press.

The article is nice recognition for Morris who has made steady progress during her career and is beginning to pay some major dividends for the Bulldogs.

Chelsea Morris considers herself a perfectionist.

But the Ferris State first baseman has lightened up a little, and it is resulting in some big numbers for her junior softball season.

"I think this year I’m just trying to go out and have fun with it," Morris said. "But nothing is good enough for me. I’m always working harder to try and get better."Morris, a Jenison graduate, is having the best season of her career, leading the team in doubles (10), home runs (6) and RBIs (31)."

A girl that size (5-foot-9) is always going to turn heads, and you hope that she has the ability to hit the long ball and drive in runs," Ferris State coach Keri Becker said.

Here is the full version of the Grand Rapids Press article: http://www.mlive.com/smallcolleges/grandrapids/index.ssf/2011/04/college_notes_jenisons_chelsea.html

WOMEN'S SOCCER: Kellogg Discusses Recruiting Class

Here are some words from Ferris State University women's soccer head coach Matt Kellogg about his recruiting class in this video produced by Ferris Athletics.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Tyrin Wade Video Highlights

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Sall Likes Shooting, Basketball IQ Of Toledo's Lehman

Ferris State University head coach Bill Sall also was able to officially comment on the signing of talented Toledo, Ohio guard Drew Lehman, who is officially on his way to Big Rapids.

Lehman is considered to be another key late signing, along with Lansing Sexton High School's Tyrin Wade.

"Drew's an exceptional shooter and an extremely intelligent basketball player," Sall said of Lehman. "He did it all on the high school level in terms of leading his team and is a tenacious player who defends well."

Ferris' recruiting class was already solid with the early signings of Dietrich Lever, a highly-touted point guard from Canton, and 6-foot-10 Jared Stolicker, a athletic post player from Middleville.

This recruiting class is getting stronger by the signing.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Sall Likes Inside Toughness, Winning Attitude Of Lansing Sexton's Wade

BIG RAPIDS - With the official signing of Lansing Sexton High School's Tyrin Wade, Ferris State University men's basketball head coach Bill Sall was able to comment for the first time about the 6-foot-5 forward who will be joining his squad.

"We've followed Tyrin's progress since last summer and he really developed into a complete player this season," Sall said. "He multi-dimensionial in that he can post up, put the ball on the floor and also has good range on his jump shot. In the state tournament, he was also impressively defensively and just did whatever it took to win."

Wade has all the makings of a great addition to the Bulldog roster as a powerful presence capable of scoring and rebounding for the Bulldogs, but also with a nice mid-range touch.

SOFTBALL: Ferris-Findlay Highlights (Video)

FOOTBALL: Ferris Hits The Field For Practice

SOFTBALL: Bulldogs Bring Out Some Some Big-Time Offense In Wins Over Findlay

Balls were flying out of the FSU Softball Field almost from start to finish on a windy day in Big Rapids as Ferris State University hosted the University of Findlay.

Ferris battled back from behind for a 17-9 win in the opener and then capped the sweep with an 8-2 victory over the visiting Oilers to get an important weekend off to a good start as the Bulldogs look ahead to scheduled dates against Tiffin University, Saturday, and Wayne State University, Sunday.

Allison Webber, Stephanie Dusendang, Lynsay Weaver and Lindsey Pettit all homered in the first game for the Bulldogs. In game two, Pettit belted another home run while Chelsea Morris also homered.

Weather is looking rough for Saturday's doubleheader as the Bulldogs hope to squeeze in those two games against the Dragons (a good team) at the FSU Softball Field. Ferris needs to gain a few more victories (four to be exact in these upcoming doubleheaders) against some of these strong opponents.

Sunday, the weather forecast looks to be better (based on the forecast) as Ferris hosts a Wayne team that is one of the best in the nation.

The Bulldogs are 15-15 overall and 12-6 in the GLIAC North Division.

FOOTBALL: Looking Forward To Maturing Secondary

Ferris State University's secondary continues to gain experience after learning on the job during the 2010 fall campaign.

The unit welcomed a lot of new faces to the mix as some key leaders of the future emerged last season led by cornerbacks Antwian Windmon and William Miles while John Purdy, Jamar Slade and Jonathan Flynn also emerged in the secondary. Defensive backs coach Gary McGraw's unit had a number of players step into key roles last season and perform well through injuries to veterans and other circumstances that thrust them into challenging positions.

The DBs played tough defense throughout the season against some of the best receivers in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

The Bulldogs will be looking forward to seeing the continued growth of these young players in the secoondary who got playing time in 2010.

The unit, as head coach Jeff Pierce pointed out, is still young. On the other hand, the group has benefited from some early experience that should pay dividends in the fall of 2011.

TRACK AND FIELD: Picucci Appears On Ferris Sports Update

Ferris State University men's and women's track and field coach Steve Picucci was a guest on this episode of Ferris Sports Update as hosted by Rob Bentley.

Picucci talked about the recent home track and field meet at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids.

HOCKEY: Nagle, Redmond Earn All-American Honors

Two Ferris State University stars earned prestigious honors from the American Hockey Coaches Association as defenseman Zach Redmond and goaltender Pat Nagle were named All-Americans.

A fitting tribute to two seniors, Pat Nagle (Bloomfield) and Zach Redmond (Traverse City) of the Ferris State University men's ice hockey team, was paid Friday (April 8) evening as the pair were selected to the2010-11 American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) All-America Teams for NCAA Division I. Nagle earned first-team honors on the West Team while Redmond claimed second-team accolades. The two 2011 Hobey Baker Memorial Award candidates were among 24 individuals to be recognized on either the East or West Teams as each squad had six individuals on the first team and another six attained second-team accolades. The AHCA/Old Time Hockey All-America Ice Hockey Teams are sponsored by Old Time Hockey, an international leader in hockey-themed apparel, and chosen by members of the American Hockey Coaches Association. The All-America Teams were announced at the 2011 NCAA Men's Division I Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minn. Nagle and Redmond represent the sixth and seventh Ferris State skaters to receive All-America laurels. The two join the likes of Chris Kunitz (2002-03), Mike Brown (2002-03), Rob Collins (2001-02), Andy Roach (1995-96 and 1996-97), and John Gruden (1993-94). With his first-team designation, Nagle represents the fourth Bulldog to claim first-team All-America honors.

The history of the Bulldogs producing top-notch All-Americans continues with the recognition earned by Nagle and Redmond.

Ferris hockey: http://www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com/sports/mice/2010-11/releases/AHCAAllAmericans

SOFTBALL: Ferris-Lake Superior Video

FOOTBALL: 2011 Ferris State Football Lift-A-Thon - Jake Hancock Bench Press (225 x 35)

FOOTBALL: Coach Jeff Pierce Looking To Crank It Up On Offense And Defense

FOOTBALL: Coach Pierce And Staff Make Commitment To Special Teams

In this video, Ferris head coach Jeff Pierce talks about the dedication the team is making this spring to improvement on special teams.

It has been a point of emphasis since the end of the 2010 campaign. In the brief video clip, Pierce talks about how different coaches will be involved. He also discusses some key players and the involvement they will have in shoring up special teams to steady that phase of the game.

Last year, the Bulldogs had some struggles in the kicking and punting game (especially at times with protection and coverage).

Those areas are being addressed this spring.

I apologize for the wind interference in the audio. The wind really picked up during our interview.

WOMEN'S GOLF: Ferris Ranked Sixth In The Region, But Aims For Higher

Ferris State University's women's golf team is currently ranked sixth in the NCAA Division II East Region Rankings that came out on March 31 as released by NCAA-II Women's Golf Committee.

The Bulldogs of head coach Mike Mignano certainly have hopes of climbing the ladder as they battle against some of the best teams in the region and nation coming down the stretch. Emily Rohdy, a freshman who has been hot of late and picked up the weekly women's golf honor from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, will be one of the student-athletes who will be leading the way for Ferris.

East Region Rankings

1. Ashland
2. Grand Valley State
3. Drury
4. California (Pa.)
5. Indianapolis
6. Ferris State
7. Gannon
8. Findlay
9. Missouri-St. Louis
10. Southern Indiana
11. Lewis
12. Northwood

SOFTBALL: Bulldogs Schedule Make-Up Games With Lake State

Ferris State University is still hoping to make up the second half of its four-game "home" series with Lake Superior State University this Friday, but the big question is: Where will the series be played?

The first four games of the series originally were scheduled to be played in Big Rapids, at the FSU Softball Field, but were moved to Rockford High School due to unplayable field conditions. Ferris swept the first two games of the series, on Saturday, only to have snow wipe out the second two games of the series, on Sunday.

Head coach Keri Becker was determined to finally get her team some action on the diamond at home and opted to move the games to Rockford. Ferris nearly got all four in before the weather put a stop to the action.

This Friday's first game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. while game two is set for approximately 5:30 p.m., following the conclusion of the opener.

For more information, visit http://www.ferrisstatebulldogs.com/sports/sball/2010-11/releases/softballnorthwood-lssu

MEN'S TENNIS: Ferris On Solid Streak Looking Ahead To Wayne

Ferris State University hopes to stay near the top of the GLIAC as it comes down the stretch. (Photo by Ed Hyde/FSU Photographic Services)

The Ferris State University men's tennis team has been playing some strong tennis in recent weeks and the results back that statement up.

The Bulldogs of head coach Alex Palladino have won five straight beginning on March 25 with a 9-0 sweep of Tiffin University and continuing one day later with a 9-0 win over the University of Findlay.

Next up was an expected tough showdown with Grand Valley State University and Ferris emerged victorious with a 5-4 victory over the Lakers.

Since then, Ferris has gone on the road and earned wins over Ohio Dominican University (8-1), on April 1, and Lake Erie College (9-0), on April 2.

Mar. 25	Tiffin *	W, 9-0	Final	Boxscore Recap Photos
Mar. 26	Findlay *	W, 9-0	Final	Boxscore Recap Photos
Mar. 27	Grand Valley State *	W, 5-4	Final	Boxscore Recap
Apr. 1	at Ohio Dominican *	W, 8-1	Final	Boxscore Recap
Apr. 2	at Lake Erie *	W, 9-0	Final

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Ferris Recruit Hoffman Named To Lansing State Journal's Dream Team

Ferris State University women's basketball recruit Hannah Hoffman picked up a prestigious honor in an area that is strong with girls high school basketball talent.

Hoffman, a 6-foot-3 senior standout center who plays in the Lansing area at Okemos High School, was named to the Lansing State Journal Dream Team as written about by Geoff Kimmerly.

Here is what Kimmerly wrote about Hoffman:

Hoffman averaged 15 points, 13.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game, ranking among area leaders in those categories and tops in rebounds and blocks. She had 14 double-doubles and a triple-double en route to a Class A all-state special mention. She has signed with Ferris State.

For the full listing of the LSJ Dream Team, visit the newspaper's official website: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20110402/SPORTS02/104020329/High-school-girls-basketball-LSJ-Dream-Team

SOFTBALL: Two Big Wins For The Bulldogs Against Lakers

Ferris State University opened it softball season at home ... sort of at home.

Head coach Keri Becker's Bulldogs, due to unplayable field conditions in Big Rapids at the FSU Softball Field, moved their four-game, two-day series with Lake Superior State to Rockford High School.

Ferris got off to a fine start winning the two Saturday games at Rockford by scores of 5-2 and 4-3 over the Lakers in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference series played just north of Grand Rapids.

With the two Saturday wins, the Bulldogs improve to 8-12 overall and 5-3 in the GLIAC as they wrap up the series with two more games on Sunday at Rockford.

In game one, Dana Bowler was the winning pitcher as she threw all seven innings, allowed two hits, two runs and struck out seven.

Offensively, second baseman Lainee Clay was 2-for-3 with two runs batted in and a double. First baseman Chelsea Morris and outfielder Stephanie Dusendang each batted 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Third baseman Makenzi Peterson was 3-for-4 with a run scored and designated hitter Allison Webber finished 1-for-2 with an RBI.

In game two, Amy Dunleavy was the winning pitcher for the Bulldogs as she allowed five hits and struck out six in seven innings.

At the plate, Morris was 3-for-4 with three RBI, a double and a home run. Dusendang was 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI.

FOOTBALL: Ferris Practice Video (March 31)