Falcons Come Up Short In Four-Set Loss To Chippewas

Saturday, October 17

Bowling Green, Ohio

3:00 PM

Bowling Green State University

Central Michigan

October 17, 2009 | Volleyball

By: by Jason Knavel, Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications

Bowling Green, Ohio – The Bowling Green volleyball team pushed Central Michigan to the brink Saturday but a second-set rally was too much for the Falcons to overcome in a 25-17, 26-24, 23-25, 25-21 Mid-American Conference loss.

Despite the defeat, Bowling Green made some large strides throughout the weekend, snapping an 11-match losing streak Friday night which included five consecutive three-set losses. But the Falcons beat Eastern Michigan in five sets and then gave Central Michigan everything it could handle.

The Chippewas won the opening set 25-17 but Bowling Green bounced back in the second. The Falcons led by one before going on a 7-3 run to take a 24-19 lead and getting to within one point of evening the match. But Central Michigan got back-to-back kills, followed by a pair of Stephanie Budde aces to make it 24-23. After a Bowling Green attack error tied the score at 24-24, the Chippewas got two more kills to finish off a seven-point run and win the set.

"We had the second set within our reach and we let it slip away," Head Coach Denise Van De Walle said. "Our passing broke down while Budde served and we just couldn't stop her. It' s too bad because going into the locker room 1-1 was where we needed to be."

Following that disappointing finish, Bowling Green could have given up but the Falcons instead improved upon their play. The team hit a match-best .297 in the third stanza to pull out a tight 25-23 win. Neither team led by more than three points until a Shari Luther kill put the Falcons on top 21-17 but Central Michigan scored four of the next five points to get back within one. Kaitlin Jackson and Luther followed with a pair of kills and, after two Central Michigan kills made it 24-23, Corey Domek closed out the set by terminating her fifth kill of the frame for the win.

Bowling Green tried to force a fifth set and led 17-14 following another Domek kill but Central Michigan came back with four consecutive points and the Chippewas never trailed again. Tied at 19-19, Central Michigan scored four in a row and held on for the 25-21 win.

"We came out and played hard in the third set to get the win but in the fourth set we couldn't get it going after 17 points," Van De Walle said. "We're making strides but still making too many unforced errors. Offensively Corey, Kaitlin and Shari did a great job. To have all three seniors in double digit kills was great. It's what we need night after night in this conference."

Jackson ended with a team-high 16 kills for Bowling Green and was one of three players in double-figures. Domek added 11 and Luther had 10. Alex Zlabis followed up a career-high 27 digs against Eastern Michigan with 18 digs against Central Michigan. Jackson added 15 for her second consecutive double-double.

Central Michigan improved to 11-7 overall and 4-4 in MAC play with the win. Bowling Green falls to 8-15 overall and 1-7 in MAC and will head on the road next weekend. The Falcons will play at Ball State Friday at 7 p.m. and at Toledo Saturday at 3 p.m.