Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
10-10 (6-2MAC)
Central Michigan (Dig Pink)
9-11 (3-5MAC)
Falcons Bounce Back With Convincing Win Over CMU
October 19, 2013 | Volleyball
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio—The Bowling Green State University volleyball team bounced back nicely on Saturday night, rolling to a four-set victory over Central Michigan. The Mid-American Conference match was played inside the Stroh Center in front of 693 fans clad in pink. Saturday's match was Bowling Green's annual "Dig Pink" match, aimed to raise awareness for breast cancer. With the win, the Falcons are now 10-10 overall and 6-2 in the MAC.
The Falcons controlled the CMU attack all night, as they held one of the MAC's top hitters, Kaitlyn McIntyre, to just 14 kills in four sets (3.5 per set). McIntyre entered the night averaging more than 4.5 kills per set in MAC play.
Kaitlyn Skinner was a big reason for McIntyre's struggles, as she paced a Falcon defense which posted 12 team blocks in the match. Skinner's nine blocks were just two shy of her career high.
For the second consecutive night, Ashley Dunn posted more than 20 digs. Her 21 digs led the Falcons, who outdug the MAC's top team in the dig category, 63-50.
The Falcons won the first two sets by 25-17 and 25-19 scores, as they received contributions from all over the court. Lindsey Butterfield, who led the attack with 17 kills on the evening, had nine kills and six digs through the first two frames. Jelena Sunjic, a freshman, had eight kills in the first two sets. Sunjic ended the night with 12 kills in just 26 attempts, as she hit .308 in the match.
Bowling Green looked ready to put the match away in three sets, but three straight service aces by McIntyre late in the set kept the Chippewas alive. BGSU led 20-16 late in the set, but CMU countered by scoring nine of the final 12 points to keep the match going.
In the fourth set, the Falcons gave Central Michigan no hope, as Skinner and Sunjic teamed up for three blocks on CMU's McIntyre. McIntyre committed five errors in the set alone, as the Falcons posted four blocks and 12 kills to post a decisive 25-10 win.
The Falcons will now prepare for a crucial week, as they will travel to a pair of MAC West foes. On Friday night, the Falcons will play on the road at MAC-leading Ball State. On Saturday, the Orange and Brown will make the quick trip up Interstate 75 for a battle with Toledo.
