Big Rapids, Mich. - The nation's ninth-ranked Ferris State University women's volleyball squad started off Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play with a huge win, beating rival and #16 Grand Valley State on the road Friday (Sept. 20) in a battle of unbeaten teams in Allendale.

The Bulldogs improved to 8-0 overall with year with the victory in the league opener, taking a 26-24, 27-25, 11-15, 28-26 win in a tightly-contested battle inside the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena.

Senior outside hitter Olivia Henneman-Dallape continued to impressive early season play, registering a match-high 19 kills in the win. FSU also got 12 kills by senior middle hitter Chelsie Freeman.

Ferris State senior setter Kaylee Maat notched 35 assists for the Bulldogs while senior libero Leah Bylut notched a team-high 18 digs and Emma Bleecher had 11 digs. Senior Claire Nowicki chipped in with 10 digs.

The Lakers were paced by Kendall Stover with 13 kills. Jordyn Gates added 33 assists with 14 digs and eight kills while Julia Blaney finished with a match-high 29 digs.

Overall, Grand Valley State finished with 55 kills to 50 for FSU and hit .211 overall with the Bulldogs netting a .160 figure. GVSU also had seven service aces and the Bulldogs managed six, but the Lakers had 12 service errors to only 10 for FSU. Both teams netted 10 blocks and the Lakers held a slim 69-60 margin in total digs.

Ferris State will be back in action on Saturday (Sept. 21) as FSU visits Wayne State for a 2 p.m. (ET) league road tilt in Detroit.