Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Open 2008 at Anderson Arena With the Best Western Invitational
September 17, 2008 | Volleyball
Sept. 17, 2008
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - After wrapping up their 11 match opening road trip on a high note with a six match winning streak and back-to-back tournament titles at the Temple Invitational and the Marquette Challenge the Falcons will finally return home to open the 2008 season in Anderson Arena with the Best Western Invitational. BG, the defending 2007 Best Western Invitational Champions, will welcome two teams from New York, Binghamton and Hofstra and a team from Texas Rice. The Falcons will face all three teams for the first time in program history. The Orange and Brown will open the tournament against Binghamton on Friday (Sept. 19) at 7:00 p.m. On day two (Sept. 20) the Falcons will match-up against Rice at 12:30 p.m. and finish the tournament against Hofstra at 7:00 p.m.
Complete BGSU Volleyball Release in PDF Format 
FALCONS LIVE FROM ANDERSON ARENA
For all Falcon fans that can't make it to the live action court side at Anderson Arena the Falcons will be live via Gametracker by visiting www.BGSUFalcons.com. Fans can also access updates on the Best Western Invitational action, team information, and live stats via Gametracker for all matches by visiting the tournament central at www.BGSUFalcons.com.
BEST WESTERN INVITATIONAL MATCH-UPS
Falcons vs. Bearcats • (9/19 • 7:00 p.m.)
The Falcons will open the 2008 season in Anderson Arena against Binghamton ... this will be the first meeting between the Falcons and the Bearcats ... the Bearcats are currently 3-8 after falling in their home opener to Colgate, 1-3 ... the Bearcats are led by Michelle McDonough (.226 / 2.95 kills per set) and Jaclyn Strader (2.72 digs per set).
Falcons vs. Owls • (9/20 • 12:30 p.m.)
The Falcons are set to take on Rice in the second match of the tournament ... the Falcons and the Owls will be matching up for the first time in program history ... the Owls are currently 5-2 after posting a 2-1 record at the Baylor Classic (Sept. 5-6) ... the Owls have had a week off due to Hurricane Ike canceling the SFA Ladyjack Invitational ... Rice was picked to finish four in the Conference USA preseason poll.
Falcons vs. Pride • (9/20 • 7:00 p.m.)
The Orange and Brown will finish the Best Western Invitational and their opening weekend in Anderson Arena against Hofstra ... this will also be the first meeting between the Falcons and the Pride ... the Pride are currently 5-5 after defeating St. Johns, 3-2 (25-19, 17-25, 27-25, 14-25, 15-13) ... the Pride is led by Harmonie Calinda (.199 / 3.31 kills per set) and Chrissey Cruz (9.27 assists per set).
BACK-TO-BACK TOURNAMENT CHAMPS
The Falcons won back-to-back tournaments for the first time in eight years after winning the Temple Invitational (Sept. 5-6) and the Marquette Challenge (Sept. 12-13). The Falcons have won two consecutive tournaments twice in program history and three straight tournaments once in 1990. The 2008 Falcons look to become the second team in program history to win three straight tournament crowns.
FALCONS ARE TOP BIRD AT MARQUETTE CHALLENGE
The Bowling Green State University netters were crowned the Marquette Challenge Champions and the top bird as they defeated the Phoenix (Green Bay), the Owls (Temple) and the Golden Eagles (Marquette). In a come from behind win/?; the Orange and Brown defeated Marquette, 3-2 (21-25, 21-25, 25-16, 25-16, 15-13) to go undefeated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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.
ALL-TOURNAMENT FALCONS
As the Falcons won their second tournament crown in two weeks, 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. Halm and Shari Luther were also named to the FSU Invitational All-Tournament Team during the Falcons opening weekend.
HOME OPENER WINNING STREAK
The Falcons are on an eight match home opener winning streak, after defeating Oakland, 3-0 last season in the 2007 home opener.
BGSU INVITATIONAL HISTORY
The Falcons have hosted seven volleyball invitationals at Anderson Arena. The Falcons have placed first or second in all of the BGSU invitationals with four first place finishes, including the 2007 Best Western Invitational and three second places finishes.
THIS IS OUR HOUSE
The Falcons look to continued the success of last season on their home court in Anderson Arena. The Falcons opened the 2007 season a perfect 12-0 at home and went on to post a 12-1 record in Anderson Arena, the best home opening and home record since 1991 when the Falcons went 13-1 in Anderson Arena eventually winning the MAC and making the Falcons first NCAA appearance. The Falcons held their opponents collectively to a .161 hitting percentage while the Orange and Brown hit a .293 in Anderson Arena.
THE HALM-INATOR TERMINATES 1,000
Senior middle blocker Kendra Halm became the 14th Falcon in program history to record 1,000 career kills. Halm terminated her 1,000th career kill in the Falcons sweep, 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-18) over the Oakland Grizzles (Sept. 9).
FALCONS OPEN MAC PLAY
As the Falcons close out the non-conference tournament portion of their schedule they will open Mid-American Conference play on the road against the Miami RedHawks on Sept. 25 at 7:00 p.m.
VAN DE WALLE AND TEAM USA BRING HOME THE SILVER
BGSU volleyball's head coach Denise Van De Walle and the USA Women's Sitting Volleyball Team brought home silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. Coach Van De Walle and Team USA's journey at the 2008 Paralympics, included Team USA's first ever victory over the Netherlands in international competition during the semi-finals to get to the gold medal match. Team USA's silver medal improves upon their bronze medal finish at the 2004 Athens Paralympics, Team USA's first Paralympic appearance.
FALCONS CAGE GRIZZLES
The Falcons started off the week with their third sweep of the season downing the Grizzles in three straight sets (25-22, 25-22, 25-18) on Tuesday (Sept. 9). The Orange and Brown continued their winning streak against Oakland now 12-matches long as they remain undefeated against the Grizzles (12-0).
