Slimko’s 31 Kills Leads Falcons To Comeback Win Over Wright State

Saturday, September 6

Dayton, Ohio

3 PM

Bowling Green State University

1-4

IPFW

5-1

Team	1	2	3	Final F
IPFW	25	25	25	3
Bowling Green	19	18	18	0

Slimko’s 31 Kills Leads Falcons To Comeback Win Over Wright State

September 06, 2014 | Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

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

Boxscore vs. IPFW
Boxscore vs. Wright State

Dayton, Ohio – Bowling Green State University freshman Nicole Slimko posted 31 kills as BGSU came from behind to defeat Wright State 25-18, 25-18, 21-25, 21-25, 15-9 Saturday evening in the final match of the Flyer-Raider Invitational. BGSU lost to IPFW in three sets earlier in the day but finished with a 2-1 record at the weekend tournament.

"Very similar to last night's match (a five-set win over Bakersfield), we saw two faces of our team tonight," head coach Danijela Tomic said. "One was very impressive and poised, while the other was a face of inexperience and sloppiness. However, we found a way to win against a tough, scrappy Wright State team. Our freshmen and sophomores are getting great game experience which is priceless for our growth and development."

Slimko's 31 kills were the most for a BGSU player in almost 15 years, since Melissa Lewis also recorded 31 against Kent State on Oct. 8, 1999. Senior Kelsey Bates added 13 kills and five blocks as sophomore Alyssa Maloney had 12 kills and four blocks. The Falcons hit at least .250 in each of the three sets they won, but were below .165 in the two lost sets.

After hitting .486 in an easy first-set victory and getting 10 kills from Slimko, Bowling Green hit just .146 and .163 in the next two sets, falling behind and forcing a must-win fourth set. The Falcons never trailed the rest of the match, jumping ahead quickly in each of the final two sets. In the fourth, BGSU scored five of the first seven points and still led 14-11 midway through. Alyssa Maloney had kills in succession during a 5-0 run that gave the Falcons breathing room to force a fifth set.

In the fifth, setter Erica Fullenkamp recorded a kill on the first point and an attack error gave the Falcons a quick two-point advantage. BGSU led 5-4 when the Falcons scored five of the next six points to take a 10-5 lead in the shortened fifth set. Wright State was unable to claw back and Bates' kill closed out the 15-9 victory.

While Slimko was certainly the freshman star of the night, some of BGSU's other first-year players contributed as well. Michaela Gabanic got some of the most extended playing time of her season so far and responded with six kills and a .500 attack percentage. Desi Klaer added three kills and two blocks, while Clara Martinez Rubio had two kills, three assists and a block. Katie Scholten posted nine digs and served up one ace, while Paige O'Connor finished with two kills, two digs and a block.

The victory came on the heels of an afternoon defeat at the hands of IPFW. The Mastodons were too strong throughout and Bowling Green never found offensive rhythm, finishing with just 17 kills in the match. No BGSU player had more than four kills as the Falcons hit -.027.

Despite that loss, Bowling Green finishes the weekend with a 2-1 record to improve to 2-4 on the season. The Falcons will next head on their longest road trip of the season, competing at the Bluejay Invitational Friday and Saturday, hosted by Creighton. The Falcons will play Wichita State Friday at 5:30 pm before two matches Saturday. BGSU plays Creighton at 1 pm and Pepperdine at 6:30 pm.