Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Stetson University
Falcons Smash the Hatters in Season Opener, 3-0
August 29, 2008 | Volleyball
Aug. 29, 2008
TALLAHASSEE, Florida - BGSU volleyball head coach Denise Van De Walle and the Falcons opened the 2008 season with a smashing victory over the Stetson Hatters in their very first meeting, 3-0 (25-14, 25-22, 25-11). The Orange and Brown dominated the Hatters at the net nearly doubling the Hatters' kills (40-21) while stuffing seven blocks compared to Stetson's two. The three set sweep marked the Falcons' first win in a season opener since 2002 against Oakland (Sept. 3).
Much like they did last season the Falcons struck right away in the first set as sophomore middle hitter Shari Luther recorded the first kill of the season for the Falcons in the opening play to side-out. With the score all tied up, 7-7 the Falcons put together a three-point run to begin pulling away. Kendra Halm and Sam Fish started the run as they stuffed one of the Hatters followed by two straight service aces from Kaitlin Jackson. The Falcons came back to string another four points together with Halm at the service line. However the longest run of the night came later as the Falcons ran nine straight points on the Hatters, including two service aces from Sam Fish and three kills from Meghan Mohr. A kill from Jackson ended the first set for the Falcons, 25-14.
The Hatters came out firing right away in set two as they grab the first two points with back-to-back kills, however the Falcons did not falter and came right back with a kill from Corey Domek which led to consecutive four point runs by the Falcons. Once BG took the lead they never gave it up but the Hatters kept the score in the second set much closer. Halm terminated play with a kill to end the second set for the Falcons, 25-22.
Set three of the match was the best of the match for the Falcons as they posted a .476 hitting percentage and stopped the Hatters who recorded a -.129 hitting percentage. The key to the third set for the Falcons was scoring points in a row and siding-out. The Falcons scored multiple points all but two times a server went back to line, while only allowing the Hatters two two-point runs all of set three. The Falcons recorded their first win of the 2008 season as they defeated the Hatters 25-11, in set three.
The Falcons were firing on all cylinders with both middle hitters posting double-digit performances and three others players just shy of double-digit kill performances. Falcon middle hitters led the way with Luther recording 11 kills and no errors good for a .524 hitting percentage and Halm terminating 10 kills hitting a .500. The Falcons not only recorded almost twice as many kills as the Hatters (40-21) but they held the Hatters to a mere .011 for the match compared to BG's .269 hitting percentage. Fish quarterbacked the offense for the squad dishing out 36 assists, while libero, Chelsey Meek led the defensive effort with 13 digs.
Two Falcon freshmen got their debut for the Orange and Brown during the season opener. Susie Isphording recorded her first collegiate kill and dig against the Hatters along with fellow freshman Louise Facca who recorded her first collegiate block and dig.
"It always feels good to start the season off with a win," said Coach Van De Walle. "We were a little jittery at first but once we settled in, we were fine. Kendra and Luther did a great job attacking out of the middle. Meghan was definitely hard to stop at right side. Chelsey passed the ball very well and played solid defense. When we're in system we look really good. It was nice to give Susie and Louise an opportunity to show what they can do. Susie passed on a dime and got her first kill while Louise got her first block as a Falcon. After watching FSU vs FAMU play, we know we'll have to play at a very high level to win this tournament. FSU is big and physical and FAMU is athletic and used to winning."
The Falcons will look to continuing dominating Florida's finest as they take on host Florida State tomorrow (Aug. 30) at 1:00 p.m. and finish up the weekend against the 2007 MEAC Champions, Florida A&M at 4:00 p.m.
