Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Picked to Finish Fourth in the MAC East
August 25, 2008 | Volleyball
Aug. 25, 2008
Complete MAC Release in PDF Format 
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The BGSU volleyball team was picked to finish the 2008 season fourth in the Mid-American Conference East division announced by the conference office today (Aug. 25). The MAC preseason poll is voted on by the 12 head coaches in the league.
Miami, the 2007 MAC Tournament Champions and Western Michigan, the 2007 West Division Champions were both picked to win their respective division. Ohio, the 2007 East Division Champions was picked to finish second in the East followed by Kent State, Bowling Green, Akron and Buffalo. The coaches voted Central Michigan the West Division runner-up followed by Ball State, Northern Illinois, Eastern Michigan and Toledo.
Head coach Denise Van De Walle and the Falcons are coming off of their fourth consecutive winning season and second straight season of 20-plus wins after posting a 21-10 overall record and a 12-4 MAC record in 2007, which also marked Van De Walle's 25th season at the helm of the Falcons. Coach Van De Walle finished last season with an overall record of 462-313, the winningiest mentor in conference history.
The Falcons are returning eight veterans, which include four All-MAC starters for the Orange and Brown, seniors Kendra Halm and Meghan Mohr, junior Corey Domek and sophomore Sam Fish. Senior Chelsey Meek, who became the best digger in BGSU volleyball program history last season, will also be returning, along with letter winners Kaitlin Jackson, Shari Luther and Alex Zlabis. Joining the eight returnees will be six newcomers, transfer Noelle Spitler and freshman Louise Facca, Susie Isphording, Emily Kauth, Lauren Mizgalski and Madison Nitta.
The Falcons will open the 2008 season at the Florida State Invitational, only their second trip to the Sunshine state with Van De Walle at the helm. The Falcons will take on three of Florida's finest for the first time in program history starting with the Stetson Hatters at 2:00 p.m. on Friday (Aug. 29). The Falcons' will finally return to Anderson Arena for their home opener as they host the Best Western Invitational (Sept. 19-20) and then begin MAC play against Miami (Sept. 25).
MAC Preseason Poll
East Division
1. Miami
2. Ohio
3. Kent State
4. Bowling Green
5. Akron
6. Buffalo
West Division
1. Western Michigan
2. Central Michigan
3. Ball State
4. Northern Illinois
5. Eastern Michigan
6. Toledo
