Earlier today, the BGSU Falcons volleyball team (19-8) defeated the NIU Huskies (3-23) in three sets. It was a great two-day stretch for the Orange and Brown as they won yesterday in three sets as well.
Big picture, the Falcons have now won nine consecutive contests stretching back to Oct 11. To add to that, seven of those wins were sweeps.
On the flip side, the Huskies have now lost 11 consecutive contests, with nine of them being sweeps.
SET ONE
Northern Illinois began the opening set on a 3-0 run, capturing the early momentum. After BG tied the set at five, NIU went on another run; this run was a 4-2 one, making it 9-7.
The Falcon’s first lead came at 11-10, then they extended it to 12-10 before a head coach Sondra D’Amore timeout.
Out of the Huskies’ timeout, they were able to rattle off seven points, hold BG to three, making it 17-15, and force BG to use a timeout.
From there, NIU continued their newly gained momentum and made it 20-17 before the Orange and Brown used another timeout.
This time, however, the Falcons were able to go on a 3-1 burst, including an ace to make it 21-20 Huskies.
To conclude the set, BGSU went on a 5-2 run to capture a 25-23 victory.
SET TWO
Down 3-1 early in the second set, the Falcons scored three unanswered to go up 4-3. After a little bit of ping-ponging point-wise, BGSU built a 10-7 lead before NIU used timeout number one.
The Huskies used the timeout to ignite momentum and went on a 5-1 run, putting BG behind 12-11.
Bowling Green and NIU then battled back and forth, tying the game at 15 before another momentum shift.
This time, it was Bowling Green who had the momentum. They went on two 4-0 runs down the stretch to lock in a 25-19 victory in set two.
SET THREE
For the second time, the Huskies opened a set on a 3-0 scoring run. The Falcons then scored six of the next eight points to give themselves a 6-5 advantage.
After ties at 6-6, 7-7, and 9-9, BGSU was able to take the lead at 12-10. From that point, they never looked back.
The Orange and Brown were able to take a 17-13 lead. Eight points away from defeat, coach D’Amore used a timeout.
This did not stall the Falcon momentum as they went on a 6-2 run, making the tally 23-15 before securing the 25-19 victory.
This victory also locked in BGSU’s longest winning streak since 2021.
Junior opposite hitter Lauryn Hovey had a total of 17 kills. She now has 18 double-digit kill games this season. Sophomore setter Amanda Otten had another great outing, recording 38 assists. Defensive specialist Lindsey LaPinta finished with nine digs as well.
The Falcons close out the regular season at home with a pair of matchups against the Ohio Bobcats this Friday, Nov 15, and Saturday, Nov 16, at 6 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on WBGU 88.1 FM.
