The Game
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The University of Findlay women's volleyball team continues their journey at the NCAA Division II Volleyball Playoff. After winning the first conference title in program history, the Oilers earned an automatic qualifying spot, ultimately receiving the sixth-seed in the eight team Midwest Regional. 

The tournament, which is taking place at the top-seeded Ferris State University, is being held December 5-7 inside Bulldog Arena in Big Rapids, Michigan.The Midwest Regional Final pits the sixth-seeded Findlay Oilers against Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) foe, the top-seeded Ferris State Bulldogs.

The Oilers have now defeated the third-seeded Hillsdale Chargers and second-seeded Grand Valley State to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in program history. Ranked as the top team in the nation by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), Ferris State advances to their fourth consecutive Regional Final after wins over Missouri- St. Louis and Lewis, both of which were 3-0 sweeps.

This game marks the 19th meeting between the teams since 2005. Ferris State has controlled the series with a 16-2 record, including 13 straight victories. Their most recent clash was in October of 2023, at the Midwest Region Crossover, where the Bulldogs earned a 3-1 win.

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Tickets
Tickets for Findlay vs. Ferris State

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Video streaming of the contest will be produced by Ferris State University and streamed on FloVolleyball. Viewers can watch, free of charge.
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Live Stats

Findlay Oilers (24-8, 11-4 G-MAC) | #6 Seed
2024 Findlay Volleyball Coaching Staff

For the first time in program history, the University of Findlay volleyball team has advanced to the NCAA DII Midwest Regional Final. Riding the momentum of an underdog story, the Oilers enter with hope and confidence, boasting a seven-match winning streak, including a recent victory over the nation's 11th-ranked team. After back-to-back wins in Big Rapids, they've cemented their spot among the elite.
Findlay is averaging 14.1 kills per match, which ranks 14th nationally in Division II and second in the region. They also hold one of the best hitting percentages in the country at .258 which ranks second in the region, only behind Ferris State. 

Sophomore Hannah Miller leads the Oilers' offense with her all-around play. The six-rotation outside hitter has been a key force for the Orange and Black, recording 448 kills this season at an impressive 3.83 kills per set, ranking 13th in the region. A native of Tiffin, Ohio, Miller also averages 2.30 digs per set and excels as Findlay's top serve receiver.

Junior duo Alana Pohlman and Kenzie Hoelscher anchor the net for the Oilers. Pohlman contributes 2.96 kills per set and chips in 0.81 blocks per set. Hoelscher, meanwhile, boasts the Midwest region's sixth-highest hitting percentage at .358, averaging 2.56 kills per set. She is also a standout server, leading the region with 62 aces at a rate of 0.53 per set.

Freshman Grace Auer and sophomore Abria Lomax are also quality options for the Orange and Black.

Junior Emma White, an AVCA all-region selection, orchestrates the Oilers explosive offense as one of the top setters in the nation. She averages 11.30 assists per set, ranking third in the region, and has totaled 1,322 assists this season, placing her tenth nationally in Division II.

Findlay's last win over a top-ten opponent came against top-ten team was against Wheeling in 2015 inside of Croy Physical Education Center.

About the Opponent –  #1 Ferris State (33-0, 17-0 GLIAC) | #1 Seed
2024 Ferris State Volleyball Coaching Staff

The Bulldogs, the nation's top-ranked team, remain the only undefeated squad in the country. Driven by an experienced senior class with three straight Midwest Regional Finals appearances, they aim to end an 11-year regional title drought. Ferris State last claimed the Midwest Regional Championship in 2013, earning a spot in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight and the National Quarterfinals. FSU has also reached the Sweet Sixteen five times in the past eight years.

Ferris State averages 13.98 kills per set, ranking third in the region, and maintains an impressive .307 hitting percentage, the best in both the region and the nation. Defensively, the Bulldogs limit opponents to a .161 hitting percentage, the fourth-best mark in the region.

The Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) and AVCA Player of the Year, senior Olivia Henneman-Dallape is averaging 4.23 kills per set, the second most in the region and eleventh-best in Division II all while maintaining a .331 hitting percentage.

Freshman Gabby Piazza, along with seniors Claire Nowicki and Chelsie Freeman, are key offensive weapons for Ferris State, each averaging over two kills per set.

A first team all-region setter, senior Kaylee Maat runs the offense as she is averaging 9.81 assists per set. 

Ferris State will benefit from the home-court advantage at Bulldog Arena, where the intimate setting amplifies crowd energy. "The energy in this arena when it's packed is something we know we can use to our advantage. We love it," said Nowicki. The Bulldogs played their semifinal match in front of nearly 1,200 fans, filling the arena to near capacity.

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Links
NCAA
NCAA Division II Volleyball
NCAA Division II Stats
NCAA DII Midwest Regional- Tournament Central
Great Midwest Athletic Conference