Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
8-3,0-0MAC
Missouri
7-4,0-0SEC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Bowling Green | 16 | 26 | 20 | 23 | 1 |
Bowling Green Falls to Missouri in Four Sets
September 19, 2026 | Volleyball
Bowling Green, Ohio – Missouri's Lydia Stahley recorded a team-high 11 kills on 22 swings to hit at a .409-clip to go with four aces as the Tigers defeated Bowling Green 3-1 (25-16, 24-26, 25-20, 25-23) Saturday afternoon at the Stroh Center.
The Falcons will head into conference action with an 8-3 overall record. With the win, Missouri improved to 7-4, snapping a two-match losing skid.
For Mizzou, Eva Smith added nine kills on 16 attempts to finish with a .438 attack percentage as well as six total blocks. Teammate Kimani Johnson put down seven kills on 13 swings to be the most efficient player on the floor with a .538 mark. Defensively, Ainoah Cruz notched a match-best 22 digs. Smith's five block assists and one solo capped the Tigers 18-block outing.
Senior Avery Hobson tallied a team-high 13 kills and sophomore teammate Karli Molnau added 12 for Bowling Green. Senior Amanda Otten recorded six kills on seven swings to hit at a career-high .857 attack percentage. Senior Helen Wilford got up for seven blocks as the Falcons tied the Tigers with 18 blocks throughout the contest.
After Mizzou took the first set by a 25-16 margin, BGSU opened up an eight-point lead in the second frame, jumping in front 15-7, however, Mizzou battled back to eventually take a late 24-22 advantage. Facing set point, the Falcons ripped home four consecutive kills thanks to lone markers by sophomores Cecily Waynar and Anastasija Bozic and two from Molnau to even up the match with a 26-24 set victory.
Mizzou grabbed the lead again with a 25-20 win in the third frame. The fourth set was a back-and-forth affair with neither side leading by more than three points. With BG leading, 18-15, the Tigers claimed ten of the final 15 points to close out the match with a 25-23 victory.
Falcon Facts
- Bowling Green matched up with Mizzou for the first time in program history. BGSU has faced four SEC opponents in the past four seasons with a 2-2 record.
- The Falcons erupted with 17 kills in the second set, the most kills within a set this season.
- Otten's career-high .857 hitting percentage eclipsed a .833 mark that was set versus Kent State on Oct. 25, 2024.
- BG's 18 block assists are the third-most in a single match this season, The Falcons have recorded double digits in the category in all 11 outings.
- Sophomore Avery Anders tallied three aces for third time this season.
- The Falcons recorded a 45-40 margin in assists.
- 11 different Falcons registered kills throughout the contest.
Up Next
Bowling Green begins conference play on Thursday when they play host to Miami (OH). First serve between the Falcons and RedHawks is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Stroh Center.
Follow the Falcons
Be sure to follow the Falcons volleyball team on social media
Twitter - @BGSU_Athletics and @BGSUVolleyball
Instagram - 'bgfalcons' and 'bgsuvolleyball'
Facebook - 'BGSU Athletics' and 'Bowling Green State University Volleyball'
TikTok - @bgsuvolleyball
YouTube - 'Falcon Athletics'
