Last night, Bowling Green faced Ball State in the 2022 MAC Championship, winning the title in five sets.   

Here’s how the Falcons did it.  

Set 1: 23-25 

The first set began with Bowling Green taking the early lead, pacing the Cardinals 5–2. In response, the Cardinals went on a 4-0 run to tie it up. After two kills by BG sophomore Mia Tyler, Ball State used another four-point run to grab the lead. With the score now 8-12, the Cardinals continued to pace Bowling Green for a majority of the set. Nearing the end of the set, the Falcons began to close the gap. The score now 20-24, the Brown and Orange used a three-point run to nearly tie up the set. With a 23-24 score and Cardinal set point, Ball State’s Lauren Gilliland logged a kill, securing the set for the Cardinals.

Set 2: 25-23 

This second set would begin with the Falcons and Cardinals taking turns scoring until Ball State found a way to pull ahead (4-7). Bowling Green would return with a 3-0 run, tying up the score at 7-7. From here, the Cardinals snatched the lead again, just to be matched by the Falcons moments later. In the home stretch, Ball State began to pull ahead, holding the lead 20-22. The Falcons, not disappointing, would come back with a 3-0 run, now taking the lead. With a 23-23 score, Bowling Green took the set with a 2-0 run and a 25-23 final score. The Falcons, adding thirteen kills to the books compared to Ball State’s ten, were able to stay on top.  

Set 3: 25-23 

Entering the midpoint of this championship match, Bowling Green was able to jump into the lead early on, the score 7-2. The Cardinals would work to close this gap, but would stay behind the Falcons for the entirety of this set. With a 24-17 score, Ball State made a run for the lead, scoring six points straight, the score now 24-23. Now with lots of tension on both sides, BG’s Lauryn Hovey would pull through, snagging a kill and taking the set. 

Set 4: 23-25 

Following the trend of the last set, the Falcons and Cardinals would start by trading points. Soon after, Bowling Green took the lead with a 3-0 run, the score now 12-9. The Falcons would hold this lead well into the end of this fourth set, the score reaching 22-18. This point of the set heralded a turning point for the Black and Red, with the Cardinals scoring six straight points. The score now 23–24 and a Cardinal set point, a Falcon attack error would allow Ball State to take the fourth set.  

Set 5: 15-9 

The fifth set, with everything on the line, began with a quick Bowling Green lead. The score swiftly reaching 7-4. Bowling Green would take advantage of a 3-0 run, holding the lead 10-6. The Falcons, waiting about thirty seconds, struck again with 3-0 run. The score quickly moving to 14-9, the Brown and Orange now had a match point in this MAC Championship. Off the payoff serve, freshman Lauryn Hovey shot a kill into the first row of Ball State’s defense, winning the championship in set five, 15-9.  

Hovey was named MAC Tournament MVP following her impressive third triple-double of the season. In addition, Petra Indrova was seen logging a double-double, her 12th of the season and was the team leader for aces with four. Other team leaders were Alexis Mettille with eight blocks, Jaden Walz with 32 assists, and Yelianiz Torres with 33 digs.  

We will see the Falcons next in the first week of December to begin the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, when the NCAA Volleyball Selection Show announces the matchups.

For more information, visit bgsufalcons.com.