Championship banners are a symbol of strength of a program. Take the Boston Celtics for example. The Celtics have 16 championship banners hanging from the rafters, but their newest banner was hung up over 15 years ago. The Bowling Green volleyball team was experiencing a similar dilemma. It was 1993 since the Falcons raised their last banner. That was about to change though. Just before the Cleveland State match last night at Anderson Arena, the Falcons celebrated by raising their 2000 MAC East Championship banner. Their post-banner celebration was a three set win over Cleveland State 30-15, 33-31, and 30-24.
“I came here in high school I looked up at the banners and wondered why we didn’t have anything recent,” sophomore left-side hitter Susie Norris said. “It’s great to finally get that banner up.”
“I’m glad we got the banner while the season was still on so we could do a little presentation before one of our matches,” BG coach Denise Van De Walle said. “It would be very nice now to give it a sister up there. Hopefully we can get one that says 2001 MAC East Champions.”
After the banner raising the Falcons got down to business. Although it was a non-conference match that had no weight in the MAC standings, BG wanted this win to aid in reaching its goal of 20 wins. Standing on a record of 18-6, the Falcons picked up their 19th victory of the season lead by middle-hitter Caty Rommeck’s 18 kills. Junior teammate Kristin Gamby added 15 kills and Norris had 11 kills and a team-high 15 digs. BG, a team known for making late season runs, holds a 38-11 record after Oct. 6 the last three seasons.
“We peak when we are supposed to peak,” captain setter Natalie Becker said.
The Falcons made quick work of the Vikings. BG jumped out to a 22-10 lead in the first game on their way to a 30-15 victory. The Falcons overpowered Cleveland State in the first and third games, making strong contact with the ball. Game two gave the Falcons problems mainly because BG was not getting good shots off the net. CSU took advantage of many Falcon tips and served for game point, but an incredible save that ricocheted off Norris, was set by Becker and slammed down by Gamby saved the game. Gamby followed with two consecutive kills to put an end to the Vikings’ run.
The Falcons are tied with Akron for first in the MAC East with a record of 11-5 in MAC play. BG plays crucial, championship-deciding games at Kent State Friday and Toledo at home Saturday.
