BGSU volleyball (12-11, 6-5) returns home to the Stroh Center to face the Toledo Rockets (17-6, 8-3) in the second iteration of the Battle of I-75 this season.
Last time these two teams met, on Oct. 7, the Rockets came away with a 3-1 win in Savage Arena.
The Falcons are in the midst of a four-game losing streak, with their last win coming back on Oct. 10 against Northern Illinois.
For the Falcons, their defense has been strong so far this season. Led by Helen Wilford with 102 total blocks this season, with 94 block assists, the Falcons are first in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in blocks.
It is not just the blocks that have been strong for the Falcons, but their ability to force opponents into low-hitting percentage games. BGSU sits second in the MAC only behind Toledo in Opponent Hitting Percentage at .182,
On the offensive side of the net, the Orange and Brown are still trying to find their footing. With Setter Amanda Otten and opposite hitter Lauryn Hovey both being sidelined with injuries, the Falcons have looked to other players to help move the offense.
Edyta Waclawczyk has been one of those Falcons to step up; the Redshirt Sophomore has had 10 or more kills in four of the last five games, with 20 in a loss to Ball State being a season high.
On the opposite side, the Rockets come into this match as the most dangerous service team in the MAC. Sophomore Grace Freiberger is third in the MAC with 0.40 service aces per set. Not far behind are Sierra Pertzborn, Avery Adamski, and Kelsey Smith, who are in spots seven through nine.
Those service aces are a game-changer. The last time Toledo met with BG, the Rockets had eight aces. These aces and solid service in general help to keep opposing offenses out of the system and rhythm, allowing the Rockets to get easy points.
Defensively, the Rockets are a solid team, sixth in digs and fourth in blocks; Toledo can slow down high-power offensive teams that they face. The well-rounded Rockets defense has been put to the test so far and answered the call.
Bowling Green is set up for a rivalry rematch with the Toledo Rockets in the Stroh Center on Tuesday, Oct. 28, with first serve set for 6 p.m. Tune into the live radio broadcast with Ben Corak and Andrew Smith set to start at 5:45 for the pregame show.
