Falcons Prepare For Final Road Trip Of Regular Season This Weekend

AKRON, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University volleyball team will close out the road portion of their 2023 regular season campaign this weekend with a pair of matches against the Akron Zips. So far this season, the Falcons hold a record of 5-5 when playing on the road but have won three of their last four matches away from Bowling Green. BGSU and Akron are scheduled for a 6 p.m. start Friday before a 4 p.m. first serve Saturday.

Going Against Akron
The Akron Zips will enter the weekend against the Falcons tied with BGSU in the MAC standings, both with 6-7 records in conference play. The Zips began with a hot start within the Mid-American Conference, jumping out to a 5-1 record. However, five straight losses dropped their record to 5-6 before a win over Northern Illinois got them back on track. In their last match, Akron fell to Western Michigan 3-1, resulting in their 6-7 record. In non-conference the Zips topped Morehead State (3-1), Marshall (3-2), UNC Greensboro (3-0), Harvard (3-2) and Youngstown State (3-1).

Scouting Akron
Over the course of the season, Akron has landed a MAC-leading 195 aces for a mark of 2.05 aces per set, ranking 10th in the nation. Freshman setter Eliska Vytiskova leads the way with 45 aces while her 0.48 aces per set rank 29th in the nation. Junior outside hitter Faith Johnson leads the attack with 336 kills while freshman libero Vanessa Del Real paces the Zips defensively with 358 digs.

All-Time Against The Zips
In the all-time series between Bowling Green and Akron, the Falcons hold the advantage with a 48-17 standing against the Zips. When playing in Akron, Bowling Green has also won 23 of the 31 matches played for a 23-8 record. The Falcons have won seven straight over the Zips, including 16 of the last 17 matches. As for matches played in Akron the Orange and Brown have won the last seven with Akron's last win at home over BGSU coming in 2014.

Hovey's Record-Breaking Performance
Against Central Michigan Lauryn Hovey recorded 32 kills, setting the program record for kills in a match during the rally-scoring era. Only two Falcons have eclipsed 30 kills since the scoring changes in 2001. Nicole Slimko tallied 31 in 2014 and Paige Penrod recorded 30 in 2012. The all-time record for the Falcons is held by Jo Lynn Williamson with 35 kills in 1987, also coming against Central Michigan.

Walz's Hot Streak
Jaden Walz has recorded three straight double-doubles for the Falcons and four in the last six matches for the Orange and Brown. Over the last three matches, Walz is averaging 11.4 assists and 3.5 digs per set while totaling 125 assists and 39 digs. The effort for Walz has pushed her up to seventh in the MAC for assists per set during conference play with a mark of 9.15 while being ninth on the season overall at 7.08.

First Set Success
The first set has been key in setting the tone for the Falcons so far this season. Over the course of the 2023 campaign, when BGSU wins the first set they hold a record of 11-4, but when they fall in the first set they are 1-8. Over the last eight matches, the Falcons are 5-0 when they have won the first set and 0-3 when they have lost the first set. Three of the four times that Bowling Green has won the first set but lost the match have been five-set matches.

Against The Attack
In addition to the first set, the opponent's attack percentage has played a key role in outcomes this year for the Falcons. When BGSU holds their opponent to an attack percentage below .200 the Orange and Brown are 11-2 on the season. However, when the Falcons allow their opponent to hit above .200 the team is 1-10.

Follow the Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons volleyball team on social media
Twitter - @BGAthletics and @BGSUVolleyball
Instagram - 'bgfalcons' and 'bgsuvolleyball'
Facebook - 'BGSU Athletics' and 'Bowling Green State University Volleyball'
TikTok - @bgsuvolleyball
YouTube - 'Falcon Athletics'

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