BGSU volleyball (11-7, 5-1) earned their fifth Mid-American Conference (MAC) win at home on Thursday against the Northern Illinois Huskies (10-5, 3-3), winning in four sets, 3-1.
During the match, sophomore setter Anna Sitek stepped up in the starting role with 27 assists, three aces and three digs on the night.
Sitek filled in for the absence of junior setter Amanda Otten, who suffered a left leg injury during the team’s 3-1 loss against the Toledo Rockets (14-3, 5-0) on Tuesday.
Head coach Alex DelPimbo was pleased with the role Sitek played for an Orange and Brown squad that has seen two of their starters, both Otten and senior opposite hitter Lauryn Hovey, sidelined with injuries.
“We know that Anna was ready,” DelPimbo said. “We knew that she could find ways to win, and that mentality as a whole helped us get it done.”
DelPimbo also didn’t look at the injuries as a complete setback, instead giving credit to the team rallying around these tough moments and using them as fuel to motivate their play on the court, while also maintaining the depth on the roster.
“We didn’t look at an injury as a scenario as if we’re giving up,” DelPimbo added. “We looked at it as an opportunity of still finding a way. We know that we have the depth.”
Sophomore defensive specialist Sydnie Hernandez also praised the Falcons’ depth in tough situations.
“I think we’re very fortunate to have a bench that is willing to fill whatever role they need to fill for the team,” Hernandez said. “We practice together every day, we’re all in the same team, we do the same drills. So, I think we came prepared.”
The Falcons will look to continue to persevere through the injury struggles as they face the Huskies at the Stroh Center on Friday at 6 p.m. Falcon Media Sport Network’s Andrew Smith and Aiden Brueck will be on the radio call beginning at 5:45 pm on WBGU 88.1 FM, also streaming on bgfalconmedia.com.
