By: Ella Fowler, Kelsey Bruzek, Tyler Elzholz, and Jaiden Basinger
April 16, 2021
For the first time since 2012, the Bowling Green State University volleyball team made it to the NCAA tournament. The Falcons squared off with the Weber State Wildcats this past Wednesday in Omaha, Nebraska.
The Lady Falcons had an outstanding season finishing 22-2, making this season the best season in program history. Included in that 22-2 record is the 2021 MAC tournament championship and the MAC regular season title. To add to their list of accomplishments, the Lady Falcons had the best start to a season by winning 18 consecutive matches and earned an NCAA bid for only the third time in the program’s history.
The Lady Falcons carried their momentum into the NCAA tournament and showed up ready to compete with the Lady Wildcats.
The Lady Falcons were ready to compete with a quick 4-0 lead in the first set. The Lady Wildcats soon battled back, taking a 15-14 lead at the media timeout. After the timeout, they eventually took the first set, 25-18.
In the second set, the Lady Wildcats claimed an early lead, but a 4-0 run by the Lady Falcons cut the lead and caused the Lady Wildcats to use a timeout with a score of 11-10. After they traded points, both teams were tied at 20-20, and then, the Lady Falcons closed out the second set victorious, 25-22.
The third set began similarly with a score of 15-14 in favor of the Lady Falcons as the media timeout occurred. The set remained close until the last point when the Lady Wildcats ultimately prevailed, 25-22.
In the fourth set, the Lady Wildcats went on a 4-0 run, and then, a Lady Falcon timeout followed. The Lady Wildcats built a lead in the set, but the Lady Falcons forced a timeout, trailing 23-18. In the end, it was Weber State who won the fourth and convincing set, 25-21.
This tournament loss ended the Lady Falcons’ memorable season.
A special shout out goes to two former Brooklyn alumni, sisters Julia and Jaden Walz. Julia is a junior on the team and set her new career high for digs in a single match with 39. Jaden is a freshman and showcased her skills throughout the season as a designated setter.
Well done, Walz sisters! You two have made Hurricane Nation proud. Good luck on the rest of your volleyball careers.
{Editor’s Note: Information for this article was retrieved from BGSU Athletics.}
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 