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The GVSU Fieldhouse Arena on Tuesday night (Sept. 23) is the site of a terrific early-season volleyball matchup between #18 Grand Valley State and #14 Ferris State. Both teams are 6-2 on the season and have matching 4-0 GLIAC records entering the rivalry match.

Tuesday's match will be broadcast live on XFinity Channel 900, with Tom Cleary providing the play-by-play of the contest. You can also view that same broadcast by clicking the 'Watch' link at the top of this page.
 
There are five GLIAC teams currently undefeated in conference play and the Lakers and Bulldogs make up 40% of that group. GVSU and Ferris State are also the two highest ranked teams in not only the GLIAC, but the entire Midwest Region, which includes the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).
 
Grand Valley State has won four straight matches, all of which are league contests. During that time, the Lakers have lost just two total sets - GVSU trailed Saginaw Valley State by a 2-0 score on Sept. 13, but rallied to win the final three sets and earn a strong road victory.
 
Ferris State, the winners of five matches in a row, has yet to drop a set in GLIAC play. In fact, five of the six Bulldog wins this season have been 3-0 sweeps. As traveling partners during conference season, both GVSU and Ferris State have defeated Saginaw Valley State, Wayne State, Walsh, and Malone.
 
The GLIAC leader in assists per set is Laker senior Kaitlyn Wolters, who is putting up 10.66 assists each set. She is also second in total assists (309) and seventh in service aces (13). Classmate and libero Christina Canepa is third in the league in digs per set (5.34) and fifth in overall digs (155).
 
Both of GVSU's top hitters rank highly in several categories. Junior Betsy Ronda is third in points per set (3.7), fourth in kills (91) and kills per set (3.14), seventh in digs per set (4.41), and ninth in total digs (128). Senior Abby Aiken ranks seventh in kills (81), 11th in kills per set (2.79), and 15th in points per set (3.2).
 
Grand Valley State was selected to win the GLIAC North Division in the league's preseason poll, while Ferris State was chosen to finish second.

After the FSU match, the Lakers go on the road this weekend to Ohio. GVSU will face Ohio Dominican on Friday (Sept. 26) at 7:00 p.m., followed by a match at Tiffin on Saturday (Sept. 27) at 2:00 p.m.