Bowling Green State University
MIAMI (OH)
Falcons Fall to Miami, 3-1 in MAC Opener
September 25, 2008 | Volleyball
Sept. 25, 2008
OXFORD, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University volleyball team fell to the Miami RedHawks, 3-1 (27-25, 23-25, 23-25, 21-25) for the first time in the past six match-ups, in BG's Mid-American Conference opener this evening (Sept. 25). The RedHawks snapped the Falcons five match winnings streak over Miami.
The whole first set was a close battle with neither team taking more than a three point lead. The Falcons struck first with back-to-back kills from Corey Domek, which gave BG an early 3-0 lead. The Falcons were able to put together two more three-point runs to take a 14-12 lead. The set continued to go back and forth but a kill from Shari Luther led to another Orange and Brown three-point run giving BG a 21-18 lead over the RedHawks. The Falcons were able to maintain their lead and secure set point off of a kill from Kaitlin Jackson, but the RedHawks never gave up fighting off set point and went on a three-point run to tie the score up, 24-24. The Falcons once again got set point but Miami sided-out to stay alive. A kill from Kendra Halm gave the Falcons set point once again and BG was able to finish off the first set, 27-25.
The second set was another evenly matched battle between the Falcons and the RedHawks. Neither team was able to take more than a three point lead. During the second set both teams were able to score points in a row however with such a tight set the only difference was that the RedHawks were abel to score points in a row late in the set. With the score tied up, 12-12 Miami was able to score three straight points, the biggest run of the set. The Falcons were able to come back and tie the score up, 16-16 but weren't able to score points in a row late in the set with the RedHawks eventually taking the second set, 25-23.
The third set started off quite different than the first two with the RedHawks scoring the first four points. The Falcons answered back with a three-point run followed up by a five point run to take an, 8-6 lead. The Falcons maintained their lead until the RedHawks started to score points in a row and tied the score up 16-16. The Falcons ran into a similar situation as in the second set as they were not able to score more points in a row than the RedHawks late in the set. Miami took the third set, 25-23.
In the fourth set Miami was able to take their momentum from the second and third set and score points in row early. After a three-point run the RedHawks took a six point lead over the Falcons, 11-5. BG continued to fight with several runs cutting Miami's lead to three, 22-19. The RedHawks won the fourth set, 25-21.
Despite the loss the Falcon offense was led by outside hitter, Domek terminating a career high 24 kills, posting a .362 hitting percentage, while Jackson recorded nine kills against Miami. The Orange and Brown had three players post double-digits on defense with Chelsey Meek leading the way with 26 digs, Sam Fish recorded 11 digs and Meghan Mohr added 10 digs. Fish not only posted double-digits on defense but also dished out 38 assists recording her first double-double of the season.
"The Miami match was a tough one from the win-loss perspective," said Van De Walle. "However, from a fans point of view it had to be a great match to watch. The rallies were long tonight. There was great defense from each team but especially from Chelsey Meek. She had a really good night with 26 digs. Domek was on fire hitting .362 with 24 kills which was the best on either side of the net. The problem tonight was we didn't get the normal production from our middles and right side. We fell short getting kills and Miami squeaked out the win."
The Falcons will return to action as they continue their MAC schedule on the road against Northern Illinois on Saturday (Sept. 27) at 8:00 p.m. ET.
