Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
CLEVELAND STATE
Falcons Down Third Opponent in a Row
October 26, 2005 | Volleyball
Oct. 26, 2005
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Bowling Green improved their record to 14-9 with a non-conference win at Cleveland State Tuesday night, extending the Falcons winning streak to three matches.
After a long, hard-fought first point won by Bowling Green, the Falcons took an early 5-1 advantage. However, the lead quickly diminished when a bundle of Cleveland State service aces helped put the Vikings ahead 15-11. BGSU clawed back into the match at 26-24. However, after a Viking timeout the Bowling Green comeback fell short with a 30-26 defeat in the opening act.
"In game one I felt like we were still on the bus," said Head Coach Denise Van De Walle, "our passing was sub-par and our offense looked sloppy and tentative."
The Falcons' two members of the 1,000 Dig Club continued to do just that in the losing effort with senior Emily Manser leading the team with nine digs and junior Chrissy Gothke chipping in eight digs.
The Falcons trailed nearly the entire first portion of game two before sophomore Madeline Means came of the bench and provided a spark for the Falcons. Means belted four kills with no errors while hitting .444 (4-0-9). Means also teamed up with redshirt freshman Kendra Halm to pick up a big block in the Falcon comeback.
Cleveland State was forced to take a timeout when their lead shrunk to just two points at 20-18. The Falcons were not phased by the break in action this time and won the next four points, making the Vikings take another quick timeout trailing 22-20. While hitting .244, BGSU seized game two 30-26.
"I was impressed with the turnaround, I think we dug our heels in and started answering them," said assistant coach Mark Hardaway.
"In game two I felt like we woke up, and looked a lot more confident," said Coach Van De Walle.
The momentum did not vanish in the locker room as the Brown and Orange rolled to a 30-21 win, rarely trailing in the game. Four kills and two more blocks by Halm propelled the Falcons to victory.
"Kendra (Halm) was unstoppable, it was a really big night," said Coach Van De Walle, "almost everything she hit was a kill."
Means continued to contribute heavily as well, blasting three more kills in the win. Freshman Meghan Mohr added an exclamation point with a game-ending service ace that dipped so quickly no Viking could touch it.
Halm continued to dominate in game four, tacking on three more blocks to give her eight for the night. Halm also recorded six of her 17 kills in game four. It was a back and forth all game, with the lead changing seven ties. With a 29-26 lead, Bowling Green stumbled and allowed the Vikings to tie the match at 29-29. Undaunted, the Brown and Orange sealed the match with an aggressive attack by Means that resulted in the match-clinching kill.
"I was really impressed with Madeline (Means) ending the match with a big time swing," said Coach Van De Walle.
Gothke recorded her sixth triple double of the season with 11 kills, 46 assists and 19 digs against the Vikings.
BGSU will get right back on the bus this weekend with a pair of conference matches. The Falcons begin with a huge match against the defending MAC champions and nationally-ranked Ohio Bobcats Friday night in Athens, Ohio. The match is scheduled to start at 7 PM.
