11-4, 1-0MAC
Bowling Green
3-10, 0-1MAC
Bulls Blank Bowling Green in Volleyball Conference Opener
9/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo volleyball team took just three sets to earn its first MAC victory of the season, defeating visiting Bowling Green, 25-17, 25-21, 25-23. Winning their ninth match out of their last 10 contests, the Bulls improved to 11-4 on the season, while the Falcons fell to 3-10 and 0-1 in conference play.
The Bulls paced play during the first and second sets, allowing the Falcons just one lead, 1-0 in the second. The third set had eight deadlocks, as many as the first two sets combined, and favored the Falcons early. UB snapped a 20-20 tie with three straight en route to edging BGSU, 25-23, to take the match in straight sets.
"I think we did a nice job of finishing in the third set. We never gave up. We were resilient and fought to the end," said head coach Reed Sunahara.
"It's good to win at home and it's good to win the opener. We have to do a better job of taking care of the ball and executing. Hopefully this is a good start. Once we can figure the other part out, I think we'll be in a good groove."
The Bulls, who outhit their opponent .242 to .148, were led by junior Tahleia Bishop hitting .270 with 18 kills. Juniors Akeila Lain and Megan Lipski tallied eight and seven kills, respectively, while classmate Marissa Prinzbach set for a match-best 31 assists. Defensively, Lain posted three blocks and Bishop and freshman Niki Bozinoski dug out nine balls each.
The Bulls jumped out to an early 9-3 lead in the first, but the Falcons battled to knot action at 12 and 13. The Bulls pulled away with five straight on the serve of freshman Tessa Ooyama, before claiming the set on a Prinzbach ace, 25-17.
Much like the first, UB controlled play in the second set, though the Falcons remained within striking distance. A 10-10 stalemate turned into a 19-15 UB gap, forcing BG to burn a timeout. The Bulls finalized the set, 25-21, good for a 2-0 cushion.
Bishop posted nine of her kills in the final frame, helping dig the Bulls out of a 17-13 deficit. UB pieced together a 7-3 run to tie the game, 20-20. Bozinoski served the Blue & White to a 23-21 edge. A Bishop kill brought the Bulls to match point, but they were twice denied, before another Bishop attack found the floor to end all action.
Bowling Green was led by Nicole Slimko with 12 kills and Paige O'Connor with nine. Erica Fullenkamp recorded 26 assists and Delaney Arkeilpane added 13 digs.
The Bulls will play their second match in as many days when they return to Alumni Arena to host Miami (OH) for a 7:30 pm MAC contest on Saturday.
