The Bowling Green State Falcons’ first 2-0 start in the Mid-American Conference since 1998 spurred thoughts of a return to the form that helped them capture two consecutive East Division titles in 2000 and 2001.
With everything good comes something disappointing.
Even if it is for a weekend.
BG (9-6, 2-2) fell into a fourth-place tie in the West Division after dropping games on the road to Miami 3-2 and Ball State 3-0 on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
“I thought we played really well against Ball State,” Maggie Karges said. “We just had a few balls that didn’t go our way, but other than that I thought we played aggressive defense against some aggressive teams.”
Despite the echoes of optimism from Karges, teammate Chrissy Gothke said the team feels like they let one slip away against the RedHawks (3-10, 1-3) Friday night.
After losing the first two matches, the Falcons rebounded to take the next two, but MU jumped out to an 8-4 lead en route to defeating BG 15-7 in the fifth match.
“I do feel a little letdown that we couldn’t beat Miami, but stuff happens,” Gothke said. “We definitely need to learn to finish teams, keep the intensity and not let the game go up and down like a rollercoaster.”
Assistant coach Mark Hardaway, who filled in for head coach Denise Van De Walle because of a flight delay from Athens, Greece, said the team dug a hole for themselves by losing the first two matches.
“I think Miami played very well,” he said. “They passed the ball extremely well, they ran their offense very well. The mistake we made is we came out really flat.
“We didn’t follow the game plan very well and I just don’t feel like we were very focused,” Hardaway added. “I give Miami credit, because they were prepared and they were the more focused team.”
When the Falcons went into John E. Worthen Arena the following night to face the Cardinals, Van De Walle arrived right in time for the pregame lockerroom talk.
Though it was not enough to keep BG from falling to BSU for their 24th consecutive time.
The Falcons’ last win against BSU was on Oct. 3, 1992.
Van De Walle said BSU is a big match for her and the team.
“I was really happy to be back … Of course, I’m disappointed in the outcome but I thought we played a pretty good match,” she said. “Ball State just played better. They outworked us in the backcourt and they hit smarter in the frontcourt.”
Van De Walle added that returning to the sidelines was an easy transition for her after spending the last month coaching the USA National Sitting Volleyball Team.
“Once my job was done with the sitting team and I was flying home, I was again focused on BG volleyball,” she said.
BG will continue their five game roadtrip when they travel to face Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne tomorrow at 7 p.m. for the second time this season.
