Ferris State University Volleyball Invitational Webpage


September 1, 2010 - The first day of classes for the 2010-11 school year is today (Wednesday), but for this year's Hillsdale College volleyball team, lessons have been taught for nearly three weeks already.

After weeks of practice, training and conditioning, in a mostly unbearably hot gymnasium, the Chargers will begin regular season play Friday morning at the Ferris State University Tournament.

Three of the Chargers' four opponents this weekend were teams that qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament a year ago, a challenging slate of matches for any team, but an ideal start to the season for Hillsdale, which has high hopes for the 2010 campaign.

The team opens play at 10 a.m. Friday by taking on former GLIAC foe Mercyhurst College. At 2:00 Friday, the Chargers take on No. 18 Minnesota State-Mankato in the second and final match of the first day of competiton.

Saturday's action starts early, as the team has a 9 a.m. contest against Lock Haven University, a traditionally strong team out of Pennsylvania. The team wraps up tournament play at 3 p.m. Saturday by taking on another team from the state of Minnesota, St. Cloud State.

The Chargers finished 2009 with a 24-8 record, and were crowned GLIAC champions for the first time in school history. With a wealth of talent returning, along with some very talented freshmen, Hillsdale has earned national respect already this season. The Chargers are the only team in Division II to be ranked in the AVCA Preseason Top 25 poll that finished unranked in the final poll of the 2009 season.

Returning to the team this season are 2009 All-Americans Ashlee Crowder and Clara Leutheuser. They contribute to an offense that is deep and versatile, and that is engineered by junior setter Apryl Schmucker, who is entering her second season as the starter.

All of Hillsdale's defensive specialist players from last season, led by senior captain Sydney Dow, last year's GLIAC Libero of the Year. Morgan Podkul and Brogan Wells have been defensive mainstays for two seasons, and entering their third year with the program, will continue to provide the team with excellent serving and passing.

Unlike in past years, Hillsdale will only play in one preseason tournament during the 2010 season. Changes the NCAA enacted to the volleyball calendar ended up removing one week of competition from the seasons of all Division II teams in the country. This means after just one weekend of play, the team will begin GLIAC matches. Hillsdale's conference and home opener will take place Tuesday, Sept. 7 against Wayne State University.