Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Open MAC Play Against East Division Preseason Favorite
September 24, 2008 | Volleyball
Sept. 24, 2008
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - After opening the 2008 season 10-4 in non-conference play the Falcons will open Mid-American Conference play on the road against the 2007 MAC Tournament Champions and the 2008 preseason favorite, the Miami RedHawks. The Falcons will continue their weekend against West division opponent the Northern Illinois Huskies. BG will match-up against the RedHawks on Thursday (Sept. 25) at 7:00 p.m. The weekend will pit the Falcons against the Huskies on Saturday (Sept. 27) at 8:00 p.m.
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FALCONS LIVE ON THE ROAD
For all Falcon fans that can't make it to the live action court side in Oxford, Ohio or in DeKalb, Illinois the Falcons' match against Miami will be live via Gametracker by visiting www.MURedHawks.com and the their match against the Huskies will be live via Gametracker on www.NIUHuskies.com.
THIS WEEK'S MATCH-UPS
Falcons vs. RedHawks • (9/25 • 7:00 p.m.)
The Falcons will open the 2008 MAC season against the East division preseason favorite and the 2007 MAC Tournament Champions, Miami ... the RedHawks are currently 6-6 after going 0-3 at the Dayton Invitational falling to Louisville (3-2), Dayton (3-0) and Purdue (3-0) ... the Falcons are on a five match winning streak against the RedHawks as they swept them last year taking home victories in both of their meetings ... the RedHawks are the only MAC East division opponent to lead the their all-times series against the Falcons (23-35) ... the Falcons win over the RedHawks last season at Millett Hall marked Coach Van De Walle's 450th career win at the helm of the Falcons ... the last meeting between the two teams was at Anderson Arena (Oct. 24) where the Falcons defeated the RedHawks (3-1).
Falcons vs. Huskies • (9/27 • 8:00 p.m.)
The Orange and Brown will continue the opening weekend of MAC play against Northern Illinois ... the Huskies are currently 8-6 after defeating DePaul (3-1) ... earlier in the non-conference season the Huskies won the NIU Invite going undefeated (4-0) ... the Falcons are one a two match winning streak against the Huskies ... the Huskies lead the Falcons in the all-time series (8-19) ... the last meeting between the two was at Anderson Arena (Sept. 22) where the Falcons defeated the Huskies (3-0).
FALCONS AGAINST THE MAC
The Falcons own seven of 11 all-time series records against Mid-American Conference opponents. BG leads four of the five MAC East division opponents including Akron (24-11), Buffalo (15-1), Kent State (40-18) and Ohio (40-21). The only East division foe that leads the Falcons is Miami (23-35). In cross-over play the Falcons lead three of the six West opponents, including Central Michigan (13-8), Eastern Michigan (27-21) and Toledo (47-12). Ball State (14-34), Northern Illinois (8-19) and Western Michigan (16-31) all lead the Falcons.
MEEK DIGS HER WAY TO THE TOP IN the NATION
Senior libero Chelsey Meek, the 13th ranked player in the nation in digs, leads the Falcons and the MAC with 278 digs, averaging 5.15 digs per set. Meek earned her third consecutive All-Tournament honors at the Best Western Invitational after leading the Falcon defense with 66 digs, averaging 6.60 digs per set. Meek has led the Falcon defense the entire season thus far posting double-digit dig performances in all 15 of the Falcons' matches, including seven matches with 20-plus digs with a season high 28 twice.
"MOHR" DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Meghan Mohr continues to double-up for the Falcons on offense and defense. Mohr has recorded four double-doubles on the season thus far. During the Best Western Invitational she recorded double-doubles in back-to-back matches. Mohr first posted 11kills and 11 digs against Binghamton in the 2008 season opener, followed by 17 kills and 13 digs against Rice recording her second consecutive double-double and fourth of the season.
FALCONS KEEP HOME OPENER WINNING STREAK ALIVE
The Falcons kept their home opener winning streak alive as they swept the Binghamton Bearcats in the 2008 home opener, 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-19). The Falcons extended their home opener winning streak to nine matches.
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.
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.
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).
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.
