BGSU volleyball, with a back-to-back two-loss weekend series, sits tied with Central Michigan and Ohio for third place in the Mid-American Conference. The two five-set losses to Western Michigan this weekend have created a two-win divide between BG and WMU, as well as between BG and Toledo.
The heartbreak of this weekend was not just two losses; it was two collapses following solid set leads, a 2-0 lead in the first and a 2-1 lead in the second match. The Broncos outhit BG in the fourth and fifth set each day (BG led 2-1 in the fourth both nights) with 43 kills and a .343 hitting percentage. Bowling Green hit only 27 with 26 errors and an .008 hitting percentage.
An anemic offense was not without changes by the coaching staff, who still try to break a major down spell for the team. Both right-side hitter Marija Tabak and outside hitter Anastasija Bozic were given big opportunities in the second match, Tabak scoring a career high in attempts and kills, Bozic over doubling her season attack and kill total. They led BG in kills in the second match.
Adding onto the offensive faults, Bowling Green was out-blocked and out-served in 10 sets against WMU, a major theme during their now four-game skid and 2-5 record in the last seven matches. They are the third most aced and second most blocked team in the conference.
While head coach Alex DelPiombo no longer controls a first-round bye in the MAC Tournament, the Falcons do control whether or not they make the postseason, taking place in the Stroh Center this season. They head into their easier stretch of competition, playing Miami (5-6), Akron (4-7), and Buffalo (4-7) in the last three weeks of the regular season.
Along with winning enough matches to make the MAC Tournament, the focus is on Amanda Otten and Lauryn Hovey’s health. The two 2024 First Team All-MAC recipients have not played a match together since Sept. 19 at Michigan State, Hovey missing a total of 11 matches, Otten missing six and a half of Toledo.
Considering BG forced five sets in three of four games against top MAC teams (Ball State, Western Michigan), they should not need the two stars to take wins the rest of the way. Although it is key to have Otten and Hovey play, it is only to “shake off the rust” and experience competition again before the tournament.
Remember, through preseason and non-conference play, Bowling Green was the team to beat. If they can get both key players back and close to mid-season form for the postseason, they will not only have the most to prove but maybe be the most difficult team to deal with.
