Just like that, BGSU volleyball’s regular season is on its last legs, with the Orange and Brown staring down a home regular-season finale against the Ohio Bobcats.
Both matches will start at 6 p.m. this weekend, with game one on Friday and the second game, senior night, on Saturday.
Looking on the bright side, the Falcons season will not end on Saturday as the Orange and Brown have qualified for the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament with all that needs to be decided now being seeding.
If Bowling Green is able to win out in their series against Ohio, then the MAC Tournament would come to roost at the Stroh Center. If the Falcons drop a game, then it’s likely that Mount Pleasant, home of the Central Michigan Chippewas will host.
Falcon Media Sports Network will have broadcasts for both games on Falcon Radio, with pregame starting at 5:45 p.m. each day. Chas McNeil will have both calls and be joined by Andrew Smith on Friday and Carter Leonard on Saturday.
Matchup History
History favors the Orange and Brown in this matchup with an overall record of 53-40 since the two first started playing in 1976. The last series the teams played was in 2023, which finished in a split, with BG winning the most recent match (3-1).
Home-court advantage also looks solid for the Falcons, who are 22-17 all-time when playing the Bobcats at home. BG VB have won five straight at home, with their last home loss dating back to 2017 (2-3).
Scouting Bowling Green
To say that Bowling Green has been on a MAC tear would be an understatement, as the Orange and Brown have won nine straight, including seven sweeps.
Defense first is the Falcons current motto as they lead the entire MAC in blocks, averaging 2.59 per set. They also allow the second-lowest opponent hitting percentage in the MAC, 0.183, which has served as a crucial part of their dominance.
On offense, BG is a consensus second-place team, landing second in points, 17.30/ set and hitting percentage, 0.246.
Scouting Ohio
The Bobcats are 14-13 overall this season, going 10-6 in the conference and landing fifth in the MAC standings. Ohio is also on a run of their own with a four-game winning streak, including two sweeps.
Ohio currently has its backs against the wall, as two losses would drop the Bobcats out of the MAC tournament entirely due to an earlier loss to Toledo.
Offensively, Ohio averages 13.29 kills per set, which earns them third overall in the conference; the team also ranks fifth in the MAC in hitting percentage, 0.228.
In the back row, the Bobcats struggle to pull the ball up, averaging 13.47 digs a set, which is eleventh in the MAC. Ohio isn’t much better in blocks, ranking ninth with 1.80 per set, which sets up for a defensive mismatch.
Falcon Four Players to Watch
Lindsey LaPinta (Bowling Green #12)
The senior defensive specialist has undoubtedly been one of the unsung heroes for BGSU’s success so far this season. Ranking ninth in the MAC in digs per set with 3.65, placing LaPinta first on the team as well.
With the strong scoring offense of Ohio, it will be crucial to get solid first touches out of the Olmstead Falls native, who will create good opportunities for the Falcon offense.
Alexis Mettille (Bowling Green #16)
Talk about a breakout offensive weapon: middle blocker Alexis Mettille has been a standout on offense with a MAC-leading 0.429 hitting percentage, which is also good enough to put the fifth year on the national radar, ranking her sixth in the country.
A huge focal point of the Falcons offense has been distracting from their strong outside hitters, and by using the middles BG could be in for an offensive explosion.
Hitting for the Bobcats will be key if Ohio wants to knock off the top-ranked Falcons, and the junior opposite has been driving this offense with a MAC-leading 407 kills.
The Kyiv, Ukraine, native will need to function in tandem with a few others on the Ohio offense to create a brutal attack for Falcon blockers.
Sophomore outside hitter Kam Hunt will be the second piece of the puzzle as she is tied with Kharchynska in kills with 407.
The Sylvania, Ohio, native has played in 109 sets so far this season with a 0.200 hitting percentage on 1060 total attacks.
