(NORTH CANTON, Ohio) – Walsh squared off against the No. 2-ranked team in the nation in Ferris State and the Bulldogs were as good as advertised as the visitors won 25-9, 25-15, 25-23 Friday evening. The Cavaliers (4-7, 0-3) grew stronger as the match went on, but they were unable to avoid the sweep by the Bulldogs (11-0, 3-0).

Ferris State came out on fire in the opening game as it pulled out to a 7-1 lead in large part to three aces in a row by Ayanna Buckley. It was difficult for the Cavs to gain any momentum as they only scored consecutive points just once in the opening set.

The second set started off much better for Walsh as it jumped out to 5-2 lead after a kill by Paolo Ferrario (Fr., Gorla Minore, Italy/Liceo dello Sport). The Cavs were able to hold the lead until Ferris State tied the game at 9-9. The two battled back and forth until it was 13-13 before the Bulldogs pulled away with 12 of the next 14 points.

Despite playing one of the top teams in the nation, the Cavaliers remained competitive through the match. At one point in the third game, Walsh trailed 15-6 before it rallied to score the next four points to get back in the game. The Cavs closed within one at 24-23 after a Devin Hummel (Sr., Shelby, Ohio/HS) kill, but could not tie as Ferris State won the match with the next point on a kill from Hannah Guy.

The schedule doesn't get much easier for Walsh as it hosts another top-25 team in Grand Valley State tomorrow afternoon at 2. The Lakers come in ranked at No. 21.