Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
3-1,0-0MAC
Arkansas State
1-3,0-0Sun Belt
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas St. | 25 | 29 | 25 | 22 | 15 | 3 |
| Bowling Green | 23 | 31 | 17 | 25 | 8 | 2 |
Falcons Split Doubleheader in Best Western Invitational
September 04, 2026 | Volleyball
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University volleyball team opened their home schedule with a split against Arkansas State and American on the opening day of the Best Western Invitational.
The Falcons opened up the day with a five-set loss to Arkansas State (23-25, 31-29, 17-25, 25-22, 8-15) before picking up a four-set victory over American (25-21, 22-25, 25-19, 25-19).
ARKANSAS STATE RECAP
In the team's first match, four Falcons ended with double-digit kills led by Avery Hobson, who registered 16. Karli Molnau, Helen Wilford and Anastasija Bozic all joined Hobson in double-digit marks. Amanda Otten recorded her second consecutive double-double, leading BGSU with 41 assists and 16 digs.
Arkansas State was led by Calea Bush's 16 kill performance which was aided by four other Red Wolves notching 14-or-more kills throughout the match.
A-State never trailed in the first frame while hitting at a .412-clip. Trailing 17-11, Bowling Green stormed back to even it up late at 23-23, but back-to-back kills by the Red Wolves secured the 25-23 set victory.
In a set that featured 13 tie scores and six lead changes, both sides were level at 29-29 late into the frame. Hobson and Bozic each recorded kills as the Falcons escaped with the victory to even up the match.
Arkansas State regained the advantage in the third set, but Bowling Green found their way back, registering a 25-22 victory in the fourth frame.
In the decisive fifth set, the Red Wolves scored seven of the set's first ten points to grab an early lead which they never looked back from, cruising to a 15-8 set victory to take the match.
AMERICAN RECAP
In the nightcap, Hobson tallied a match-high 17 kills while Otten dished out a match-best 42 assists.
American's Prinzez Zeck put down 10 kills for an Eagles offense that went .151 throughout the contest.
After Bowling Green claimed the first set of the match, American won the second frame to even up the match. Bowling Green regained the lead in the following set as the Falcons hit at a .414 clip on their way to a 25-19 victory.
With a 2-1 lead in the match, Bowling Green held American to a -.027 hitting percentage throughout the frame to win the set, 25-19, and take the match.
Falcon Facts
- The loss to Arkansas State evens up the all-time series to 1-1 between the two programs, dating back to 1996.
- Bowling Green remains perfect against American, improving to 2-0 all-time against the Eagles.
- The Falcons matched the all-time record for service aces in a four-set match during the rally scoring era with 13. Avery Anders was credited with a career-high four aces. Sydnie Hernandez and Hobson each added three apiece.
- Amanda Otten recorded a double-double in the first match against Arkansas State, marking back-to-back double-double outings.
- Avery Hobson added a double-double of her own with a team-leading 15 kills and 11 digs, her first of the year after posting six last season. Hobson also led the team in aces with a pair.
- Sydnie Hernandez led the back row for the Falcons against American with a team-leading 15 digs, one of three different Falcons to register double-digit digs.
Up Next
The Falcons round out play in the Best Western Invitational tomorrow evening against Northern Kentucky. Match time inside the Stroh Center is scheduled for 5 p.m. and the contest will also stream on ESPN+.
Follow the Falcons
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Twitter - @BGSU_Athletics and @BGSUVolleyball
Instagram - 'bgfalcons' and 'bgsuvolleyball'
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