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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Marquette
Falcons Are Top Bird at Marquette Challenge; BG Comes Back to Defeat Marquette, 3-2
September 13, 2008 | Volleyball
Sept. 13, 2008
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin - The Bowling Green State University netters came back to defeat Marquette, 3-2 (21-25, 21-25, 25-16, 25-16, 15-13) to go undefeated this week and win the Marquette Challenge. The Falcons won their second tournament crown in two weeks, while the BG senior trio also earned All-Tournament honors for the second consecutive weekend. Kendra Halm once again was named the MVP of the tournament with fellow seniors Meghan Mohr and Chelsey Meek named to the All-Tournament team. The Falcons now 9-2 overall on the season are on a six match winning streak.
The Falcons struck first to open the match with a kill from Shari Luther, but the Golden Eagles came right back scoring six straight points, followed by a four-point run to take an early 10-2 lead over the Falcons. BG was able to close the gap stringing together five straight points cutting Marquette's lead to three, 12-9. With the Falcons still down by three, 17-14 Mohr terminated play with a kill, which led to a four-point BG run tying the set up 17-17. Marquette was able to score points a row late in the set to win, 25-21.
Marquette was able to jump out to any early lead in the second after a three-point run that was followed by four more points for the Golden Eagles giving them a 10-6 lead over the Falcons. Marquette was able to put together two more four-point runs to extend their lead to eight, 21-13. The Falcons never gave up as they posted a three-point run but didn't have enough to overcome the Golden Eagles falling, 25-21.
The Falcons found their groove in the third match as they took an early 11-4 lead over the Golden Eagles after two Falcon runs. The Golden Eagles fought back with their own four-point run to come within four of the Falcons, 15-11. The Falcons extended their lead over Marquette to double-digits after back-to-back runs, 23-13. The Falcons finished the third set, 25-16 with a kill from Mohr. The Falcons got their offense going in the third set out hitting the Golden Eagles 18 kills to 11 posting a .368 hitting percentage holding Marquette to a .154.
The Falcons took their momentum from the third set and dominated the net in the fourth set. Domek terminated the first play of the set with a kill to side-out for the Orange and Brown. BG scored six straight unanswered points to take a 10-2 lead. The Golden Eagles would never recover from the Falcons early run. A late three-point run gave the Falcons a double-digit lead, 22-11. Marquette tried to fight back post four straight points but did have nearly enough to overcome the Falcons as they won the fourth set, 25-16. The Falcons owned the net on both the offensive and defensive sides of the net. BG terminated 12 kills with only one error in 22 attempts good for a .500 hitting percentage and four blocks while holding the Golden Eagles to their worst set of the match with a .091 hitting percentage.
With the match all tied up two set to two sets the tournament crown would come down the fifth and final set of the match. The beginning of the fifth set was a back and fourth battle with neither team taking more than a one point lead, until Marquette was able to put together a four-point run to take a 7-4 lead. The Falcons continued to keep the set close scoring points in a row. With the fifth set tied up 12-12, Domek once again put away a kill to side-out for the Falcons, which led to a three-point run giving the Falcons set and match point, 14-12. Marquette was able to fight off one Falcon set and match point but Domek terminated play to give the Falcons a 15-13 win over host Marquette and the tournament title.
The Falcons were firing on all cylinders with four players in double-digits on offense. Leading the Falcon attack were Mohr and Domek with 15 kills a piece. Domek was one of the most efficient Falcons against Marquette posting a .344 hitting percentage. Also in double-digits on offense were Halm with 14 kills and Luther with 10 kills.
Running the offense for the Falcons was Sam Fish totaling 51 assists for the match. Two Falcons posted double-digits on defense. Meek led the way with 25 digs while Susie Isphording recording a career high 12 digs.
Marquette Challenge All-Tournament Team
Kendra Halm (Bowling Green) - MVP
Chelsey Meek (Bowling Green)
Meghan Mohr (Bowling Green)
Ashlee Fisher (Marquette)
Caryn Mastandrea (Marquette)
Rabbecka Gonyo (Marquette)
