Falcons Lose Four-Set Heartbreaker To Wright State

Tuesday, September 14

Bowling Green, Ohio

7:00 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

Wright State

September 14, 2010 | Volleyball

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

Boxscore

Bowling Green, Ohio – Bowling Green and Wright State battled through four sets of volleyball Tuesday night in Anderson Arena and the Raiders edged out a victory over a youthful Falcon squad 25-17, 22-25, 32-30, 25-21. It was the first time in 10 matches this year that Bowling Green played more than three sets.

After dropping the opening set 25-17, Bowling Green battled back behind a strong second set from Paige Penrod and Kari Galen. Penrod had seven kills and Galen had a pair of kills and three blocks in the stanza.

The second set was tied at 21-21 when Penrod and Galen had back-to-back kills to make it 23-21. After a Wright State timeout, Galen and Laura Avila combined on a block to make it 24-21 before a ball handling error brought the Raiders back to within two. Wright State then had an attack error that gave the Falcons a 25-22 win to even the match.

With the match tied again, the third set became pivotal. Wright State jumped out to an 8-3 lead but Bowling Green went on a 12-3 run, sparked by a pair of Ashley Dunn aces, to give the Falcons a 15-11 lead. The Raiders edged back into the set and eventually tied it at 23-23. Noelle Spitler followed with a kill to give Bowling Green a set point opportunity but the frame teetered back-and-forth. The Falcons had three more chances to serve for the set but could not put it away. Lindsey Butterfield's kill tied the score at 30-30 but Wright State came back with a pair of kills to get the win.

After that tough loss, Bowling Green could have wilted but the Falcons continued to battle in the fourth. It was close throughout and the Falcons took a 19-18 lead on a ball handling error. Following a Wright State timeout, the Raiders picked up a kill, followed by an attack error and three straight blocks that put the match on ice.

Penrod and Galen each ended with career nights. Penrod had a career best 17 kills and added 10 digs. Galen had career highs with 10 kills and six blocks. Bowling Green had seven more kills and 11 more digs than Wright State for the match but the Falcons had 15 more attack errors and were outblocked 14.0-7.0.

Wright State improves to 5-6 with the win and Bowling Green falls to 2-8. The Falcons will play at the University of Pittsburgh Invitational Tournament Friday and Saturday for four matches.