Bowling Green State University
OHIO
#16 Ohio Ends Falcons Perfect Season at Home
November 04, 2007 | Volleyball
Nov. 4, 2007
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Falcons were unable to keep their perfect record at home as #16 Ohio defeated the Falcons for the first time this season in Anderson Arena, 3-0 (25-30, 28-30, 30-32). The Falcons kept the match very close containing the Bobcats to a .244 hitting percentage their lowest in the Mid-American Conference play all season.
The Falcons came out aggressive in game one taking the first point of the game from a Meghan Mohr kill which led to a 3-0 lead over the Bobcats to start the match. The Bobcats answered back with their own three point run tying the game up 3-3. Game one continued to be a close race until the Bobcats pounced on the Falcons with a three point run followed by a four point run taking a 18-12 lead. The Falcons fought hard but two more Bobcat runs gave Ohio a 28-19 lead. The Falcons then fired back with back-to-back three point runs. The first included a kill from Corey Domek and a service ace from Stephanie Swiger, which brought the score to 22-28. The Bobcats secured game point but game one wasn't quite over as the Falcons sided out off of a Kendra Halm kill to go on their second three point run bringing them within four, 25-29. The Falcons were able to shake off three Bobcat game points but didn't have enough to overcome them in game one losing, 25-30.
Game two was another close battle between the two teams. With the Falcons down by one BG went on a three point run to take a 5-4 lead over Ohio. The Bobcats came back with their own four point run to recapture the lead 9-6 over the Falcons. The Falcons kept the Bobcats within striking distance until Ohio strung together a three point run extending their lead to six, 26-20 over the Falcons. The Falcons didn't give up putting together consecutive three point runs once again. A kill from Halm started the first three point run to bring the Falcons within three of the Bobcats, 25-28. The Bobcats then sided out for game point but once again Halm answered with a kill to side out for the Falcons. The Falcons were able to fight off three Bobcat game points with another Halm kill and a kill from Chelsey Meek but once again didn't have enough to come back and capture the win, losing game two 28-30.
The Bobcats took an early lead 9-6 in game three after putting together a three point run. The Falcons didn't allow the Bobcats to break away until Ohio went on a four point run to extend their lead to five over the Falcons 17-12. With the Falcons down 16-19 Corrie Mills came up with a huge kill to side out for the Falcons, which led to a three point run. Meek followed up Mills' kill with a great dig that led to a Domek kill giving the Falcons the momentum. The Bobcats sided out but the Falcons came right back with another three point run that tied game three up 21-21. From this point on game three was a tight battle between the two teams. With the Bobcats on a three point run and a 27-24 lead Halm terminated another ball to side out for the Falcons. The Falcons then scored points in a row back-to-back to tie the game up 28-28 forcing an Ohio timeout. The Bobcats side out after a Falcon service error to take game point advantage 29-28. The Falcons fired right back with a kill from Swiger to side out and tie the game up once again 29-29. The Bobcats then answered with a side out taking a 30-29 lead over the Falcons. The Falcons weren't done yet as Domek put away a kill to tie the game up yet again, 30-30. The Bobcats sided out right away and scored again to win game three, 32-30. The Falcons out hit the Bobcats in game three recording 19 kills hitting a .245 compared to the Bobcats 17 kills hitting a .227.
"I was really disappointed with the outcome of the match," said BGSU Head Coach Denise Van De Walle. "I believe we're much better than we showed today. We were too streaky. Too many highs and lows throughout the match. We just couldn't sustain the highs long enough to pull out a win. We needed more kills in certain rotations and we just couldn't get them. We needed tougher serving and couldn't get it. It's tough to play the 16th ranked team in the country and be within two points in two games, and not pull it out. Those are the ones you have to get."
The Falcons had multiple players involved in the defensive stop once again with three players in double digits led by Meek with 14 digs followed by Madeline Means with 13 digs, and Elizabeth Simon with 11 digs.
Leading the way on offense for the Falcons was Halm with 19 kills and only two errors hitting a .586. Other Falcons leading the offense were Swiger with nine kills and Domek with eight kills.
Sam Fish and Mohr shared some of the setting duties tonight as Fish collected 30 assists and Mohr had 13 assists.
"I thought Kendra played exceptionally well today," said Van De Walle. "But we needed more help offensively. It's going to be tough to beat OU with only one player in double digit kills. We went to the 6-2 to get a little more size and to have another hitter in the front row. Mills did a nice job off the bench. She really sparked us with her set to the corner. The team loves it when we do that and score!"
Despite the loss the Falcons ended the home portion of the 2007 season 12-1 in Anderson Arena on a high note as the Falcons honored the five Falcons seniors Maggie Karges, Madeline Means, Corrie Mills, Elizabeth Simon, and Stephanie Swiger and their senior athletic trainer in a post game ceremony. The Falcons had their best record defending their home court since 1992 when the Falcons also went 12-1.
"I really wanted to send the seniors out with a win," said Van De Walle. "They've done a lot to get us to the top of the conference. They've already won an average of 20 wins a year in their four years here and we're not finished yet."
"I'm thrilled we sent our fans home happy 12 times this year," said Van De Walle. "That's fantastic. Our fans have been wonderful. Playing in Anderson Arena has been great. We love this gym. A big thank you to the fans who have been there all year and cheered us on. I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to thank you tonight on the mic. We loved having you here!"
The Falcons now 19-9 overall and 10-4 in the MAC take to the road to finish up regular season play against MAC East Division opponents Buffalo on Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. and Akron on Nov. 10 at 7:00 p.m.
