.png&type=webp)
Saturday, October 4
Bowling Green, Ohio
7 PM
Bowling Green State University
3-13, 0-4MAC
2
vs
3
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Western Michigan (Alumni Night)
10-7, 2-2MAC
1
2
3
4
5
F
Western Michigan
20
25
19
25
15
3
Bowling Green
25
20
25
15
5
2
Falcons Fall In Five Sets
October 05, 2014 | Volleyball
Boxscore
Photo Gallery
Bowling Green, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University volleyball team got 20 kills from freshman Nicole Slimko and 29 digs from sophomore libero Madeline Garda but the Falcons came up just short in a five-set loss to Western Michigan Saturday night at the Stroh Center, 20-25, 25-20, 19-25, 25-15, 15-5.
With a team that consists of 11 freshmen and sophomores, consistency has been an issue at times for the Falcons this year. But BGSU played a solid match for longer stretches Saturday until the Broncos stepped up their game down the stretch to get the win.
"The credit goes to Western Michigan," BGSU head coach Danijela Tomic said. "Western stepped up their game and played really well. They served tough and took us out of system and we didn't adjust. We are getting close. Winning is going to come but we are focusing on the improvements that we are making."
Those improvements have come in a variety of areas but defense was a strength Saturday night. The Falcons posted 80 digs for the match, getting 29 from Garda, 17 from senior setter Erica Fullenkamp, 13 from freshman Katie Scholten and 10 from sophomore Delaney Arkeilpane.
Bowling Green was also solid in serve receive, allowing just three aces, while the Falcons posted six aces themselves. Four Falcons recorded at least seven kills, with 20 coming from Slimko and 12 from sophomore Jelena Sunjic.
"We need to get over the hump and get a little boost of confidence," Tomic said. "I'm very optimistic. Our serve receive is becoming more steady. Our defense is playing really well. Erica (Fullenkamp) is running a better offense. We eliminated unforced errors compared to Thursday."
In a four-set loss to Miami Thursday night, the Falcons had 33 attack errors. On Saturday, the team had just 25 over five sets, including only seven total in the first and third sets – both victories for BGSU.
In fact, the Falcons set the tone early, building a 12-7 lead in the first set and never looking back. Western Michigan was unable to get closer than three points the rest of the way and when the Broncos did close the gap, BGSU reeled off three straight points to take a 17-11 edge. From there, the Falcons held off any WMU comeback hopes for the 25-20 win.
Bowling Green carried that momentum into the second set, scoring nine of the first 12 points of the frame. The Falcons still led 14-9 before a 7-2 Western Michigan run tied the score at 16-16. Still tied at 18-18, the Broncos used another 7-2 run to finish off the set and even the match up.
In the third set, Slimko recorded back-to-back kills that started a 6-1 Bowling Green run that put the Falcons ahead 12-8. Western Michigan clawed back into the contest and was within one at 17-16 but BGSU scored eight of the final 11 points for a 25-19 win.
The Falcons continued to play well through the early stages of the fourth set and the score was tied at 10-10. But Western Michigan went on a 6-1 run and closed the frame with four straight points to force the fifth and deciding set.
In the fifth, WMU took over, posting kills on nine of the team's 14 swings in the set. The Broncos scored six of the first seven points and Bowling Green never found a rhythm offensively as Western Michigan cruised to the match victory.
For the match, Bates finished with seven blocks to go with seven kills. Fullenkamp added 50 assists to her 17 digs for a double-double and Michaela Gabanic ended with eight kills and three blocks.
Western Michigan improved to 10-7 overall and 2-2 in MAC play with the win. Bowling Green falls to 3-13 overall and 0-4 in conference action. The Falcons will host Kent State Friday night at 5 pm and Ohio Saturday at 5 pm.
Team Stats
WMU
BGSU
Kills
65
53
Errors
23
25
Attempts
180
167
Hitting %
.233
.168
Points
76.5
67.0
Assists
64
53
Aces
3
6
Blocks
8.5
8.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
20
Aces
2
Blocks
2
Kills
12
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
7
Players Mentioned
DS/L
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballRS
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballOH
/ VolleyballOH
/ VolleyballBG VB : Postgame Interview Sept. 5 (Stacey Clark Classic Game 3)
Friday, September 05
BG VB : Postgame Interview Sept. 4 (Stacey Clark Classic Game 2)
Friday, September 05
BG VB : Postgame Interview Sept. 3 (Stacey Clark Classic Game 1)
Wednesday, September 03
BG VB : Postgame Interviews 8.23
Saturday, August 23