It is, to say the least, surprising that BGSU volleyball is even 7-7 in conference play after all the success they saw last season.
This past weekend, the Falcons dropped two matches to the Miami Redhawks, losing the second in a sweep where it never felt like they ever stood a chance.
After winning the Mid-American Conference (MAC) regular season in 2024, it felt as if the Falcons were the team to beat in the MAC. It certainly felt that way after the Western Michigan Broncos, tournament winners, lost six players to graduation.
Instead, the Falcons have fallen from grace, and the injuries to senior right side Lauryn Hovey and junior setter Amanda Otten have certainly not helped the cause.
But injuries cannot be blamed for the losses this past weekend. Otten has returned, and the Falcons have other weapons besides Hovey to utilize on offense.
And the losses to Miami are especially shocking, considering the skill level of the other teams that the Orange and Brown have suffered defeats this season.
Losses to Western Michigan, Toledo, and Ball State are easier to swallow, as those three squads are top teams in the MAC, but Miami is not.
And not only did the RedHawks win against Bowling Green, but they also swept them badly, and it was the worst match the Falcons have played all season.
The BG offense had more attacking errors than kills—27 to 24—and did not block well in either match, especially on Saturday in the sweep.
Miami has now become the best blocking team in the MAC over the Orange and Brown and played exceptionally well offensively for the RedHawks’ usual standards.
Hopefully, there is nowhere to go from here but up, because as of right now, the Falcons still control their own destiny and can make the conference tournament if they win out.
For that to happen, BG as a team needs to play better in the front row, especially concerning blocking. Someone also needs to step up offensively and be the team’s killer while Hovey remains out.
A fall from the tournament is entirely possible if Bowling Green plays the way it did against the RedHawks. But if they do win out in these last four games, the momentum could be a significant help in winning during the MAC tournament hosted right here in Bowling Green.
