500 Wins For Van De Walle!

Tuesday, November 17

Toledo, Ohio

7:00 PM

Bowling Green State University

Toledo

November 17, 2009 | Volleyball

By: by Jason Knavel, Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications

Boxscore

Toledo, Ohio – Bowling Green volleyball coach Denise Van De Walle won her 500th career match as the Falcons defeated rival Toledo in the opening round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament 26-24, 25-22, 20-25, 16-25, 15-12 Tuesday night.

The win propelled Bowling Green, as the underdog No. 11 seed, into the MAC Tournament quarterfinals and avenged a rare loss to Toledo earlier in the season. The Falcons are now 49-13 all-time against the Rockets and won a match in the MAC Tournament for the fifth time in the past six seasons.

Corey Domek led the team with 20 kills, giving her 314 on the season. She is the first player in program history to have at least 300 kills in a season four times. As well, Alex Zlabis had 31 digs, reaching the 30-dig plateau for the second time in three matches.

Toledo had a higher attack percentage in the match, had more aces, more digs and tied the Falcons in blocks, but Bowling Green won critical points when it counted.

With the first set tied at 24-24, Shari Luther and Domek had back-to-back kills to win the set. The second set was close throughout but the Falcons stretched the lead to four at 21-17 on an Allison Kearney ace and a Noelle Spitler kill. Toledo was unable to get closer than three the rest of the way.

After Toledo cruised to wins in sets three and four, it looked like the Rockets had all the momentum heading into the fifth. Bowling Green fell behind quickly 6-3 but the Falcons had one last surge left. Domek, Luther, Kearney and Kaitlin Jackson posted kills to tie the score at 7-7. BG would never trail again but Toledo did even the score at 12-12 before two Domek kills sandwiched a Rocket attack error for the win.

Along with Domek's 20 kills, Jackson, Luther, and Emily Kauth had 11 apiece. Jackson, Domek and Kearney all posted double-doubles as all three had 17 digs. Kearney added 46 assists and Kauth had eight blocks.

Toledo ends its season with a record of 17-12 while Bowling Green improves to 13-19. As the No. 11 seed, the Falcons will play No. 3 seed Miami (Ohio) Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the SeaGate Centre in Toledo.