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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 Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) 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 Semifinal pits the sixth-seeded Findlay Oilers against Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) counterpart, the second-seeded Grand Valley State Lakers.

After defeating the third-seeded Hillsdale Chargers 3-1, Findlay advances to the Regional Semifinal for the third time in nine years, with their last appearance in 2017. Grand Valley State also moves forward after a 3-1 victory over the seventh-seeded Quincy Hawks.

This matchup marks the 14th meeting between the two teams since 2005. While the Lakers hold a 9-4 historical edge, Findlay has won the last three encounters, including a thrilling five-set victory at the Midwest Region Crossover, just two years ago.

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Tickets
Tickets for Findlay vs. Grand Valley 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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Findlay Oilers (23-8, 11-4 G-MAC) | #6 Seed
2024 Findlay Volleyball Coaching Staff

The Oilers are filled with hope and confidence as they continue their journey in the NCAA Regional, which marked their first appearance in seven years. Fresh off capturing the first conference championship in program history, they solidified their place among the best with a quarterfinal victory over their rival and G-MAC counterpart, Hillsdale.

Findlay is averaging 14.1 kills per match, which ranks 18th nationally in Division II and third in the region. They also hold one of the best hitting percentages in the country at .260 which ranks second in the region, only behind Ferris State. This season, Findlay has delivered three matches with a hitting percentage of .400 or higher.

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 426 kills this season at an impressive 3.80 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.

Two of the best middle hitters in the region, juniors Alana Pohlman and Kenzie Hoelscher anchor the net for the Oilers. Pohlman contributes 2.93 kills per set and leads the team with 0.84 blocks per set. Hoelscher, meanwhile, boasts the
Midwest region's fifth-highest hitting percentage at .364, averaging 2.54 kills per set. She is also a standout server, leading the region with 59 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 offense as one of the region's top setters. She averages 11.30 assists per set, ranking third in the region, and has totaled 1,266 assists this season, placing her 12th nationally in Division II.

About the Opponent –  Grand Valley State (28-3, 14-2 GLIAC) | #2 Seed
2024 Grand Valley State Volleyball Coaching Staff

Ranked in the top 10 nationally in 2024, GVSU could boast an undefeated record if not for regional host and AVCA #1 Ferris State, responsible for all three of the Lakers' losses.

GVSU features one of the region's most dynamic and versatile setting tandems in senior Jordyn Gates and junior Meghan O'Sullivan. Both are elite setters and key offensive threats, excelling in all rotations. Defensively, the Lakers dominate at the net, with a formidable front line that includes sophomores Paige Sanders, Brianna Stawski, and Kennedy Arp—each averaging over a block per set. 

Grand Valley State averages 13.2 kills per set, ranking ninth in the region, and maintains an impressive .248 hitting percentage, sixth-best in the region. Their formidable front line leads the region in blocks per set at 2.77, ranking third nationally in Division II. Defensively, the Lakers also top the region by limiting opponents to a .124 hitting percentage, the tenth-best mark in the country.

Jordyn Gates leads GVSU, leading the nation with 11 triple-doubles this season and setting an NCAA career record with 39. An AVCA first team all-region selection, Gates has contributed 667 assists, 250 kills, 292 digs, and 74 blocks this year. Over three seasons with the Lakers, she has surpassed 1,800 assists, 1,000 kills, and 1,000 digs, solidifying her place as one of the program's best.

Junior outside hitter Kendall Stover leads the Lakers with 256 kills, averaging 2.27 kills per set. Supporting her are sophomores Paige Sanders and Brianna Stawski, who bring impressive contributions on both offense and defense. Sanders averages 2.14 kills per set with a stellar .369 hitting percentage, ranking fourth in the region, while also adding 1.21 blocks per set. Stawski leads the team defensively with 1.24 blocks per set and contributes 2.22 kills per set. Both Stawski and Sanders rank fourth and fifth in the region for blocks per set, solidifying GVSU's dominance at the net.

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