As the days of the semester move quickly by, Bowling Green volleyball continues to move deeper into their season as the Falcons defeated Binghamton on Wednesday, Dec. 5, to advance to the second round of the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NVIC) for the third time in BGSU’s history.
Despite not being a top seed in the NVIC, the Orange and Brown managed to gain hosting privileges for the tournament, with BG hosting their second game in a row.
Matchup History
For not being in the same conference, the teams are pretty familiar with each other, facing off 32 times with BG VB holding the overall advantage 21-11.
While managing to go 8-3 at home against the Raiders, the Falcons also win the recency award against Wright State, winning 3-1 against them on the road back in September in the Tru by Hilton Dayton Beavercreek Invitational.
Scouting Bowling Green
The Falcons are coming off of a strong showing against the Binghamton Bearcats, which featured a career-high four ace day for sophomore setter Amanda Otten.
Bowling Green has a lot to prove following a Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament semi-final upset to Western Michigan, which prematurely ended the Falcon’s promising season.
Seniors were a big focus in Wednesday’s win as senior outside hitter Mia Tyler led the team in kills with 14. In what could have been their final game at BGSU, the senior class of Tyler, fifth-year outside hitter Jordan Newblatt, and fifth-year middle blocker Alexis Mettille combined for 32 of the team’s 55 total kills.
The only senior who did not see the court was graduate student libero Lindsey LaPinta, who is not expected to play anymore this season. In her stead was freshman defensive specialist Sydnie Hernandez, who upgraded to libero in what is certainly a preview of the 2025 season.
Scouting Wright State
The Raider’s path to the NIVC is nearly identical to BGSU’s, with Wright State finishing with a conference record of 16-2, BG’s conference record, and hosting the Horizon League Tournament before being unceremoniously bounced in the semifinal round.
It might sound ridiculous to say, but the Wright State Raiders finished first statistically in nearly every category in the Horizon League. The Raiders finished first in points per set at 18.40, a hitting percentage of .257, assists per set at 13.83, kills per set at 14.62, an opponent hitting percentage of .179, opponent assists per set at 10.70, opponent kills per set at 11.28 and opponent service aces per set 0.87.
Falcon four players to watch
Jessica Andrews (#7 Bowling Green)
All-MAC First Team in 2024, the junior middle blocker will need to establish a wall up front to shut down the punishing attack of Wright State.
Through 111 sets this season, the Guelph, Ontario, native has tallied 194 kills on 442 total attempts, resulting in a .317 hitting percentage, along with 40 digs and 137.0 total blocks.
Lauryn Hovey (#14 Bowling Green)
It felt like every game of the season was controlled by Lauryn Hovey for BGSU however, on Wednesday, the junior opposite recorded 11 kills, placing her second on the team, uncharacteristic for the powerhouse.
The 2024 MAC Player of the Year is not to be taken lightly, with 382 kills on 852 attempts for a .258 hitting percentage through 115 sets. She also can step in during the defensive game with 294 digs and 86.0 blocks.
Although the Raiders do a great job at spreading their offense around, the Horizon League’s first-team graduate student outside hitter lays the groundwork for the rest of her hitters.
With 361 kills on 1075 attempts, the Parma, Ohio native hosts a .239 hitting percentage paired with 35 service aces, 256 digs, and 36.0 blocks.
Lauren Yacobucci (#7 Wright State)
If Hovey is the heart of the Falcons, Yacobucci is the same for Wright State, as she is what makes the Raider’s offense function like a well-oiled machine.
The sophomore setter is coming off of a Horizon League Setter of the Year award alongside a league-leading 1292 assists through 108 sets. She also added 59 kills on 139 attempts to her resume, resulting in a .374 hitting percentage.
