BGSU Volleyball To Face Challenging Schedule In 2015

View the full schedule

Bowling Green, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University volleyball team will face four non-conference opponents that won at least 20 matches a year ago, as announced today with the release of the 2015 schedule by BGSU Volleyball Head Coach Danijela Tomic.

With a team that does not feature any seniors in 2015, Tomic designed a schedule that builds into conference play. The Falcons will not face a team that finished 2014 above .500 over the first two weekends of the season, but BGSU will be prepared for Mid-American Conference play by facing five teams that concluded last year above .500 over the final two weekends of non-conference tournament play.

"My scheduling philosophy has always been to play the non-conference teams who will challenge and prepare us well for our tough MAC schedule," Tomic said. "This year's schedule is a mix of teams who will do exactly that. We have a nice variety of conferences represented and differing styles of play, which will help our young team to grow and develop."

Bowling Green will play the annual Orange and White Scrimmage on Aug. 22 at 1 pm in the Stroh Center before opening the season at Middle Tennessee State for the Blue Raider Bash Aug. 28-29, where the Falcons will play Indiana, Middle Tennessee State, Notre Dame and Cleveland State.

BGSU will then host the Hampton Inn Bowling Green Invitational Sept. 4-5, bringing Wright State, Loyola and IPFW to the Stroh Center. IPFW and Loyola will open the tournament on Sept. 4 at 4:30 pm, followed by BGSU vs. Wright State at 7 pm. The next morning, Wright State will face IPFW at 10 am, followed by Bowling Green against Loyola at 12:30 pm. The evening set will begin at 5:30 pm with Loyola vs. Wright State, while the Falcons will conclude the tournament at 7:30 pm against IPFW.

"We are excited to again host the annual Hampton Inn Bowling Green Invitational Tournament," Tomic said. "It will give our fans an opportunity to see our team in action but also have a home-court advantage against three quality opponents."

Over the final two weekends of non-conference play, BGSU will compete at the Indiana Invitational and the Panther Invitational, hosted by Pittsburgh. At Indiana, BGSU will face Northern Arizona, Indiana (for a second time) and Virginia Tech Sept. 11-12. The Falcons will meet Pittsburgh, George Washington and Lehigh at the Panther Invitational Sept. 18-19.

Bowling Green will then open conference play the following weekend at defending Mid-American Conference regular season champion Ohio on Sept. 25 and then at Kent State the next day. BGSU will return home to host Akron on Oct. 2 at 7 pm and Buffalo on Oct. 3 at 5 pm.

Other home conference games include Central Michigan (Oct. 16 at 7 pm), Eastern Michigan (Oct. 17 at 7 pm), Kent State (Oct. 30 at 7 pm), Ohio (Oct. 31 at 5 pm), Miami (Nov. 12 at 7 pm) and Northern Illinois (Nov. 14 at 7 pm) to conclude the regular season. The MAC Tournament will take place at Ohio Nov. 21-23.

BGSU volleyball returns six letter winners from the 2014 season, including five starters. With no seniors on the roster, a talented junior class consisting of first team All-MAC performer Jelena Sunjic and returning starters Delaney Arkeilpane, Madeline Garda and Alyssa Maloney will provide leadership and talent. Sophomores Nicole Slimko and Katie Scholten were both impact players a year ago in their first collegiate seasons and a class of five freshmen will add depth.

Tomic begins her fourth season leading BGSU Volleyball in 2015. During her tenure, the Falcons won the 2012 MAC Championship, as well as earning the program's first NCAA Tournament win and first victory over a top 25 ranked opponent.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Players Mentioned

Delaney Arkeilpane

Madeline Garda

Alyssa Maloney

Katie Scholten

Nicole Slimko

Jelena Sunjic

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Bowling Green State University Athletics