BGSU volleyball (14-14, 8-8) snapped a three-game losing streak vs Akron (15-12, 8-8) in five sets– a 3-2 victory. The Falcons won three straight sets to take down the Zips and snap their six-game winning streak in their final home game of the season.
“Really proud of our team’s fight tonight, not a perfect game, I don’t think a perfect game exists,” said head coach Alex DelPiombo. “We needed to kind of remind ourselves of the warrior spirit we can have, we needed to remind ourselves that when our backs are up against the wall, what it looks like to fight.”
BGSU Volleyball was indeed back up against a wall, after going down 2-0 in sets. After Akron finished the second set 25-20, BGSU was in danger of losing three straight games in sweeps.
With their backs up against the wall, the Falcons rallied to force a fourth set, winning the third set 25-20 with Anastasija Bozic killing coming out of the Zips’ second timeout. Bowling Green went on a 4-1 run in the fourth set, winning 25-19, forcing the fifth set.
A kill by redshirt sophomore outside hitter Edyta Waclawcyzk got BG up to a 2-0 lead to begin the second set. Akron managed to get points on the board, but a kill by senior middle blocker Jessica Andrews helped the Orange and Brown jump to a 5-3 lead.
The Zips got things to a 7-6 match, but back-to-back errors by Akron and a service ace by junior setter Amanda Otten got things to a 10-6 BG lead.
Minutes later, a service ace by sophomore libero Sydnie Hernandez, then a service error by Akron’s Jaryn Morgan, sealed a 15-10 set five win and match win for the Orange and Brown- snapping a three-game losing skid.
The Falcons snapped their losing skid on senior night, which honored Andrews, Lauryn Hovey, and Isabelle Laube.
“There are some of the most selfless people I’ve ever met; they’re just people who you know you can trust,” said Otten in tears as she spoke of her teammates. “I’m really glad we were able to celebrate them today because they more than deserve it.”
Otten finished her night leading the Falcons with 45 assists and two service aces, and Andrews added 13 kills– while also recording six blocks, which tied her with teammate redshirt sophomore middle blocker Helen Wilford for that category.
“We have an incredibly deep team, we have people that we know show up to practice every single day, and the second they step out onto that court, they’re gonna give everything they have,” said Otten.
Bowling Green will conclude its season with a two-game stretch on the road vs Buffalo, with the first game set for 6:00 p.m. on Nov. 14. Falcon Media Sports Network’s Andrew Smith will be on the call, with the broadcast being available on BGFalconMedia’s YouTube Channel after the conclusion of the game.
