Hearts were broken last night after Bowling Green failed to pull a fourth-set nail-biter against Eastern Michigan, falling to (5-1) in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and (10-7) overall.
The Falcons did everything possible to win last night, stretching three different sets into extra scoring, including the fifth set, which finished (16-14).
Central Michigan (13-5, 4-2) have looked pretty impressive so far this season, especially on the road as they sit (5-1) on road trips.
Falcon Media Sports Network’s Chas McNeil and Andrew Smith will have the call starting at 5:45 on WBGU 88.1 FM.
Matchup History
Bowling Green holds the all-time record against Central as they post a (37-27) record all time, including an 18-12 record when playing at home.
Over the last ten matchups, the Orange and Brown have been dominant, winning eight of the matches against the Chippewas with a seven-game streak that started in 2019 and ended in 2023.
Central had the most recent win of the series, which was a five-setter in Mount Pleasant that snapped the Falcons win streak.
Scouting Bowling Green
Despite the loss, the Falcons had a massive match against Eastern Michigan that included a monster performance from junior opposite Lauryn Hovey, who notched the second double-double of the year with 16 kills and 28 digs.
Senior outside hitter Mia Tyler played arguably the best game of her career as she notched a career-high (21) kills, functioning as the Falcon’s best offensive piece.
Another career high was set last night as sophomore setter Amanda Otten’s (63 assists) surpassed her former career high that she set against Toledo last week.
The Falcons sit in a tie for first in the MAC with Eastern Michigan; BG VB is also first in blocks per set, averaging 2.58 blocks per set.
Scouting Central Michigan
The Chippewas offense has found its groove as they rank number one in the MAC in points with (1226) averaging (17.03) points per set.
Central Michigan is third in the MAC standings behind Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, and Bowling Green; they are tied with Toledo for the third-best position.
Defensively, CMU has been just as solid at limiting their opponents, allowing the MAC’s best opponent hitting percentage (.157), opponent assists per set (10.61), opponent kills per set (11.21), and opponent service aces per set (1.01).
Falcon Four Players to Watch
Amanda Otten (Bowling Green #11)
The sophomore setter has been on fire over the past two weeks, totaling 197 assists since the start of October, which is enough to put her fourth in the MAC in assists per set (8.67).
The Batavia, Illinois, native is coming off of her first MAC Setter of the Week award following her role in back-to-back reverse sweeps against Toledo and Western Michigan.
Alexis Mettille (Bowling Green #16)
The fifth-year middle blocker has been a key in the Falcon’s blocking success so far this season, as she is currently sixth overall in the MAC in blocks per set (1.11).
The Canfield, Ohio, native made headlines this week as she notched her first ever MAC Defensive Player of the Week, where she put up 19 total blocks in three games.
Allie Korba (Central Michigan #6)
The junior setter will need to be the offensive motor for the Chippewas if they want to take down the Falcons. Korba will need to spread the ball out against the Falcon’s stifling defense.
The Arlington Heights, Illinois, native is currently sixth in the MAC in assists; through 72 sets, she sits third with 547.
Hannah Langton (Central Michigan #20)
With how high-powered Bowling Green’s offense has been of late, the freshman defensive specialist/libero will need to pull off some clutch digs.
The Kingston, Illinois native is among the top of the MAC in digs with 331 total digs, which puts her second and averages 4.60 digs per set (3rd).
