Some big matchups are coming up this weekend as these four teams enter the weekend with outstanding overall records, but all may have weaknesses that the other teams will try to exploit.
Ball State’s seven-game winning streak, 7-0 in the MAC, led by dynamic duo:
Camryn Wise and Carson Tyler are carrying the Cardinals this season, establishing themselves as a dynamic duo in the Mid-American Conference. Wise leads the MAC with a .374 hitting percentage, recording 122 kills, 24 errors, and 65 successful attacks on 262 attempts. She is having a career year as a junior and continues to improve.
Tyler leads the conference with 4.29 kills per set and a total of 279 kills. She made a name for herself during her freshman season by earning numerous accolades and is now helping to propel Ball State—currently 11-8 overall and 7-0 in the MAC—toward first place in the conference.
This weekend, the Cardinals will face Bowling Green, who sits second in the standings with an overall record of 12-7 and a MAC record of 6-1, with BG’s only loss coming against Toledo last week.
Bowling Green dominates MAC play with only one loss:
In her first season as the Falcons’ head coach, Alex DelPiomno has done a remarkable job leading Bowling Green volleyball to one of the top Mid-American Conference teams so far. Taking over a program with a history of excellence, DelPiomno hasn’t just maintained the standard; she has elevated it.
Bowling Green entered the year projected as the top team in the MAC, and through the first half of conference play, they’ve lived up to every expectation.
Led by standouts Avery Hobson, Jessica Andrews, and Kendall Williams, the Falcons’ roster blends veteran leadership with explosive young talent. Hobson’s all-around ability has made her one of the most complete players in the MAC, while Andrews continues to anchor the middle with dominant blocking and clutch net play. Williams, the team’s steady presence at setter, has been the heartbeat of the offense, spreading the floor and keeping opponents guessing with her quick decision-making.
The Cardinals have long been one of Bowling Green’s fiercest MAC rivals. Year after year, their matchups carry MAC Tournament implications, and this one is no different.
Toledo’s streak ends, but its record remains strong:
The Rockets have demonstrated poise and control this season, compiling a 14-5 overall record. They hold a 5-2 mark in Mid-American Conference play. Toledo’s balanced squad relies on teamwork rather than individual dominance.
The Rockets lead the MAC in points, opponent hitting percentage, opponent assists, opponent kills, opponent blocks, and service aces. They are also ranked in the top three in hitting percentage, blocks, and opponent service aces.
Toledo has found a winning formula under coach Brian Wright, who was hired Dec. 26, 2024. The team is getting strong performances from top players Kelsey Smith, fourth in assists, and Grace Freiberger, second in the MAC in digs.
As the season continues, Toledo’s depth and balance will be key to maintaining its position near the top of the MAC standings as it sits third behind Ball State and Bowling Green. This weekend, look for the Rockets to take on a competitive matchup with the fourth-ranked team in the conference, Northern Illinois, twice.
Northern Illinois is looking to show they belong:
After blowing past preseason expectations in recent weeks, the Huskies have emerged as one of the surprise teams in the Mid-American Conference. Displaying early, they belong with some of the top dogs in this conference.
NIU’s Kylie Schulze and Emma McCartney led the team in points, digs, and time on attack, with Jordyn Tynsky and Ave Grevengoed contributing on both sides of the ball as well. Coach Sondra D’Amore, in her third year coaching, appears to have developed a successful approach that helps her student-athletes succeed in her third season with the program.
This weekend, Northern Illinois will face a tough challenge as Toledo comes into town. With the Rockets being one of the most dominant teams in recent years, Northern Illinois has been one of the weaker teams during the same period.
Look for NIU to try to continue its pressure to be a team at the top of the MAC.
Other teams to look out for:
As the MAC conference sits this weekend, these teams are first, second, third, and fourth.
However, when we look at the overall standings for the MAC records, one weekend can drastically change the lineup. We see four 3-4 teams with a MAC conference record: Northern Illinois, Miami, Buffalo, and Ohio. Additionally, there are four teams with a 2-5 MAC conference record: Akron, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, and Central Michigan.
This weekend could be crucial for some of these teams to determine whether they will be competitive in the MAC Tournament, as we are getting close to the halfway point of the season.
