Bowling Green State University
AKRON
Falcons Advance To MAC-Quarterfinals With 3-1 Win Over Akron
November 16, 2004 | Volleyball
Nov. 16, 2004
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University volleyball team downed the University of Akron 3-1 (30-28, 24-30, 30-27, 30-21) Tuesday night inside Anderson Arena, and in the process advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2004 Mid-American Conference Tournament on Friday afternoon.
BGSU may have pounded out more kills (79-64), produced more digs (84-81) and even hit a better percentage (.276 vs. .211), but the biggest impact in the match was the blocking. The Falcons recorded 15 blocks compared to the Zips five. The senior middle duo of Melissa Mohr and Taylor Twite posted seven total blocks each, while freshman Stephanie Swiger had six and sophomore Chrissy Gothke had five.
"This one feels great," said head coach Denise Van De Walle. "The win over Akron last week was important for seeding, but this one is to keep your season alive."
Game one was the Twite show. The senior from Lapeer, Michigan posted 10 kills (10-0-10) in game one alone, hitting a perfect 1.000. Though game one saw only two lead changes, neither team could gain more then a three-point advantage throughout. With the Falcons leading 18-15 in the opening stanza, the Zips reached within one at 21-20, but one of Twite's 10 kills pushed the lead back to two and eventually gave the Falcons a 30-28 game one win.
Game two was much like the opener, with neither team able to gain much of an advantage, but with the score knotted at 14 apiece the Zips went on a 9-4 run to take a 23-18 advantage. BGSU got as near as 27-24, but could get no closer. UA won game two, 30-24.
With a 22-17 lead the Zips seemed to be ready to take a 2-1 advantage heading to game four, but the Brown and Orange found a spark in Emily Manser. The junior from Westerville, Ohio, recorded three straight kills to get within two at 22-20, followed by a Zip errors, a Gothke kill, and another Manser kill gave the Falcons their first lead since 10-9. The momentum continued for the Falcons as they closed on a 13-6 run to steal away game three, 30-27.
"It didn't look like it was going to go our way in game three, but Manser's three straight kills really got us going," explained Van De Walle.
The disappointment for Akron was evident in game four as the Falcons rolled to a 30-21 win. BGSU poured in 23 kills (game-high) while committing only two errors and hitting .477.
Taylor Twite led the team with 22 kills, while Mohr (14), Manser (14) and Swiger (13) also reached double figured. Ashlei Nofzinger came of the bench to also add nine kills.
Madeline Means seemed to enjoy her new role in the Falcon defense, registering 26 digs. Gothke (17), Karges (15) and Manser (14) also chipped in.
Gothke also recorded 63 assists (career-high), five kills and five total blocks to go along with her 17-dig performance.
Up next for the Falcons will be a rematch of last week as the No. 6 Falcons will face No. 3 Marshall in game two of the MAC Tournament on Friday at 1:30 p.m.
