GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Panthers knew they had a tall task ahead of them when taking the floor to take on the Bulldogs of Ferris State. Coming into the match Ferris State was ranked number eight in the country and held a record of 7-2. Davenport held their own through ought the match against the Bulldogs and almost forced a fifth set. The Panthers are now 1-1 in GLIAC play and feel confident in their ability to compete in the GLIAC.
 
THE BASICS
Final Score: Davenport 1, Ferris State 3
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Records: Davenport 5-5 (1-1), Ferris State 8-2 (2-0)


 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-SET SCORES: 21-25, 18-25, 25-22, 26-28
-Ferris State opened the first set with a point and led the remaineder of the set. Davenport was able to tie it up two times during the set, but were un-able to create a lead of their own. Following a kill by the Bulldogs they took an 18-11 lead. The Panthers started a comeback late, scoring four straight points and cutting the lead to 18-15. The Bulldogs kept their composure and finished the set with a 25-21 win.
-The Panthers were toe to toe with the Bulldogs in the second set. The lead was changing back and forth between the two teams. Ashley VanderHorst and Charlie Smith combined for the block in the middle of the set to tie up the game 11-11. After that DU point the Bulldogs went on a 14-7 run to close out the second set for the 25-18 win.
-Davenport took over in the third set. The Panthers jumped out to a quick 8-4 lead after a kill by Smith, assisted by Kasey Stehouwer. Moments later DU took a 19-10 lead after a Jessica Marvin kill. The Bulldogs made a slight comeback at the end, scoring six out of seven points and cutting the lead to 23-22. Davenport won the last two points and the set 25-22.
-In the fourth set the atmosphere was electric, every point the crowd seemed to be holding their breath. Ferris State almost had the set won leading 24-18 late. The Panthers rallied off seven straight points and gave themselves a chance to push the match into a fifth set. During the seven-point stretch Morgan Torres tallied two service aces. The Bulldogs won four of the last five points to finish the match.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers will face another GLIAC opponent on Tuesday when they host Purdue University Northwest. The game will be played at the DU Student Center and has a start time of 7:00 p.m.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Photo credit: Tyler Triemstra