Hello and welcome on back to another episode of the Ferris Sports Update. This week our host Rob Bentley is joined by Defensive backs coach, Tony Annese. Head Hockey Coach Bob Daniels and the Head Coach of Volleyball Tia Brandel-Wilhelm.
Football
In this week’s Sports Update, Rob Bentley first talks with Defensive backs coach, Tony Annese. They discuss his experience being a coach and working with his uncle. He considers his position a blessing since he gets to learn and grow from the coaching experience. Another thing that was noted was his position as a former football player. It is a unique position for him because he can connect with and understand the perspective of the players while offering them some good advice to assist them in the game.
He and Rob then go over the various moves and events that happened in the homecoming game that led them to victory against Roosevelt. “We’re coming together and the biggest thing is our defense; we play fast, so I love the effort,” says Tony. They also complimented Roosevelt’s team, saying they did a respectable job while on offense and had talented players on the team. In the end, Ferris won with a score of 55-13. Not only did Tony’s team win the homecoming game, but it also gave Tony his first “conference win,” which he was grateful for.
In the end, Tony and Rob talk about the upcoming game in Detroit, where they will be going up against Wayne State’s team. They mention how some of the people there will be former Ferris players and alumni at the game. They say that they must try their best and that they hope to continue to get better as the season progresses. They then conclude their conversation with Tony saying that they get better every season and that each year they hope to overcome their challenges. Rob then thanks Tony for his time, congratulates him for his win, and wishes him luck in the upcoming game.
Hockey
Rob Bentley is then joined by the head coach of the Men’s Ice Hockey team, Bob Daniels. They started out by recapping this past weekend’s two games. The Bulldogs won both games in a shootout against Miami Ohio. Friday night the final score was 3-3, and the final score for Saturday night’s game was 4-4. Even though the Bulldogs won, they are recorded as ties.
This upcoming weekend, the hockey team is back in action traveling to Western Michigan Friday October 11th, and then they play Western Michigan at home Saturday October 12th at 7pm for a blackout game. Daniels loves the ability to play them every year home and away because of the short commute it is for the teams.
Volleyball
The final segment of this week’s Ferris Sports Update was alongside longtime 29-year Ferris volleyball coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm. Our girls remain undefeated this season, currently ranking fifth in the nation following their latest victory over Purdue Northwest on October 5 where they ruled 3-0. The bulldogs are now 4-0 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Despite Purdue seemingly improving each time they played them, the Bulldogs were able to remain victorious as their 14-0 streak continues. Brandel herself isn’t focused on the streak but more on how they can be as good as they can be and reach peak form by the end of the season.
Throughout this game, the team experimented with lineup changes from younger players and unique blocking schemes. The previous day (October 4), the bulldogs had another 3-0 game against Wisconsin-Parkside which was their first home game of the season. Brandel said “it didn’t feel like a 3-0 sweep” as they nearly let their guard down towards the final servings. She talked about how when you’ve been playing in the GLIAC for so long you start to understand each coach’s style and plays, meaning you know what to expect. She was also pleased by the crowd attendance. In this game, she thought her team did great at breaking down their defense and pushing back their offense. Bentley and Brandel also discussed seeing several volleyball alumni return to FSU at homecoming. She touched on the work ethic of the team playing three games a week but still dominating. She feels like her players enjoy playing games all the time because for most this is what they’ve been wanting to do since they were younger. “It’s every kid’s dream.” Make sure to keep an eye on future games against Saginaw Valley State on October 11 and Lake Superior State on October 12. Tune in and watch this week’s episode!