Bowling Green volleyball (11-7, 5-1) hosted the Northern Illinois Huskies (10-5, 3-3) at the Stroh Thursday night. The Falcons came away victorious, winning 3-1 after four sets, with many players contributing to the win.
The first set started very balanced, each team scoring with the other responding. NIU’s start was a little stronger, with them holding an 11-6 lead early as sophomore outside hitter Ava Grevengoed tallied five early kills.
BGSU started their comeback, closing the gap to 15-13. Four digs by sophomore defensive specialist Sydnie Hernandez were crucial to their success. Bowling Green tied the game at 16 each off a Grevengoed attack error.
“Syd adds a level of steadiness and IQ that we need”, said head coach Alex DelPiombo after the game.
Northern Illinois continued to score, however, extending their lead to 19-16. Despite a good effort by the Falcons, the Huskies were able to win the first set 25-19.
BGSU started the second set off hot, jumping out to a 4-0 lead. Two service aces by sophomore setter Anna Sitek aided in their offensive attack. Sitek was filling in for the injured junior setter Amanda Otten.
The Falcon’s dominance of the second set continued. BG had pushed the lead up to 15-3, scoring seven service aces at that point in the second set. Coming into this game, the Huskies had been the second-best team in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in receiving services.
“We realized we didn’t have to do anything special. We didn’t have to put 100% on the ball, we just had to hit spots,” said Hernandez.
The Orange and Brown were a completely different team compared to their performance in the first set. In the second set, they had complete control, winning it 25-11. Bowling Green had nine kills on offense and forced six attack errors.
“Our serving got a little bit better, and we got them out of system, which let us control the game,” said DelPiombo postgame.
To start the third set, BG jumped out to a 6-1 lead. Senior middle blocker Jessica Andrews added to her impressive performance, putting up her seventh kill of the game.
The Huskies didn’t quit, though, as they continued to make good plays on offense, closing the gap to only 11-9.
Bowling Green didn’t let up either. They continued to put up points, with Hobson and Andrews leading the team with eight kills each.
The Falcons won the third set 25-16, taking the advantage in the game.
The fourth started off similarly to the first, with both teams playing well. BG found themselves out in front, holding the lead 9-4. Junior outside hitter Marija Tabak had a crucial block that forced an attack error. She also had put up five kills.
NIU continued to struggle in the fourth set, as BG began pulling away. The score was 18-8 in BGSU’s favor.
Bowling Green dominated the fourth set, winning in lopsided fashion, 25-10.
The game ended with BGSU winning after four sets, the total score being 3-1. Everybody was involved in their win, with the team having 46 assists. They also had 13 total service aces, tying the program’s rally scoring era record.
The Falcons now turn their attention to the next game against Northern Illinois. The match is set to start at 6 p.m. on Friday in the Stroh Center.
