BGSU volleyball (17-14, 10-8) took down the Ohio Bobcats in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament quarterfinals. The win was capped with Bowling Green senior opposite Lauryn Hovey making a return to the starting lineup, and she didn’t ease her way back in. She dominated. After missing much of the second half of the season with an ankle injury, the First-Team All-MAC selection was back in full force against Ohio. The difference was immediate. Hovey jump-started the Falcons with two early kills as BGSU raced to an 11-5 lead in the opening set, setting the tone for a night that felt like a reminder of just how central she is to the Falcons’ identity. Every time she rotated to the front row, the offense changed. Every time she stepped to the service line, momentum leaned orange and brown. Her return didn’t just bring energy, but expanded the offense, too. With Hovey sidelined the past month, junior Avery Hobson carried much of the workload. But with No. 12 back on the court, the Falcons rediscovered the balance and firepower that made them dangerous early in the year. Hovey opened the match 8-for-8 on kills, including back-to-back aces during an 8-2 start to the second set. “I didn’t expect myself to do anything great,” Hovey said. “I was kind of just hoping to help the team in whatever way I could help.” Junior setter Amanda Otten showcased her command of the offense with Hovey available as a full-time option again, spreading the floor and forcing Ohio’s blockers into constant adjustments. Head coach Alex DelPiombo emphasized just how much Hovey’s return meant beyond the scoreboard. “We know she’s a stud. We know she knows how to take over,” DelPiombo said. “What she really does well is giving to her team, and she gave to her team by stepping up in moments, but more importantly, she was a calm voice in the huddle.” Even when the Bobcats took the third set, Hovey’s presence stayed steady, and in the fourth, she helped slam the door. A pair of consecutive kills, combined with pressure from her serves, pushed BGSU ahead for good before she capped the match with the final kill of the night. Hovey finished with 18 kills on 27 swings, hitting an elite clip and leading all players with 22. 0 points. “The stat line’s not surprising to me,” DelPiombo said. “We missed Lauryn’s presence of leadership and maturity more than anything, and we’re happy to have her back.” When asked about her health, Hovey kept it simple, saying, “[I’m] feeling good. I was really excited to be back, and I really wanted to come back. I’m happy that I was able to work out, and I’m able to help the team.” With Hovey healthy again and in rhythm, Bowling Green advances to the MAC Semifinals, where they will take on No. 2 seed Western Michigan on Saturday at 7: 00 p. m. Falcon Media Sports Network’s Ben Corak and Andrew Smith will have the call on Falcon Radio.
https://bgfalconmedia.com/174657/sports/lauryn-hovey-returns-to-lineup-sparks-falcons-into-mac-semifinals/
Lauryn Hovey returns to lineup, sparks Falcons Into MAC semifinals
