Ohio (8-5, 2-0 Mid-American Conference) will face its first road test against a MAC opponent this season when it travels to this weekend. Although every conference match is important, Friday and Saturday's matches are especially meaningful.
Bowling Green (7-6, 2-0 Mid-American Conference) ended Ohio's 2021 season in the MAC Tournament semifinals, but its own season was soon spoiled after a loss to Ball State in the MAC Championship match.
If Ohio wants to be the best, it will have to take down the MAC's elite volleyball programs like Bowling Green.
Match information:
Opponent: Bowling Green
Time: Friday at 6:00 p.m., Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
The Falcons look just as good as they did last year so far in 2022. Despite a very difficult nonconference schedule, they have maintained a .700 winning percentage. The Falcons dropped their first two matches against Purdue and Loyola Chicago, but rebounded to win a match on the road at Tennessee. The Falcons also picked up a win over Mississippi State before losing to Michigan in its last nonconference match of the season.
The Falcons have only played two conference matches so far, but won both on the road at Kent State. Meanwhile, the Bobcats have also looked strong to start the conference slate. After an up-and-down nonconference schedule, they dominated the RedHawks in both of their first two conference matches.
History:
The Bobcats played three matches against the Falcons in 2021 and came away with one win, their first since 2015. The Bobcats trail the Falcons 50-39 in their all-time series, but since 2010, the Bobcats have found some success and have won 14 matches to the Falcons nine in that span.
Player to watch: Petra Indrova
Not only is Indrova the Falcons' star player, but she is also one of the best players in the country. Indrova was the 2021 MAC Player of the Year, and in 2020, she made the All-MAC First Team. Indrova was also the first Falcons volleyball player to be named to the All-American Team in 2021 as an American Volleyball Coaches Association Honorable Mention. Indrova hasn't gotten out to as good of a start as she might've wanted this season, but the senior outside hitter still has the second most kills on the team. She also has the second most digs and nine service aces. If the Bobcats want to pick up a win on the road, they will have to limit Indrova's impact.
