UB Women’s Volleyball Fall Short in MAC Finals

The University at Buffalo women’s volleyball team (23-8, 13-5 MAC) took the loss in the MAC Tournament Semifinals to Bowling Green (18-12, 11-7 MAC) in three consecutive sets. Buffalo was in the 4^th spot for the Mid-American Conference tournament. Head Coach Scott Smith did an amazing job building up the team to play at the level they are now. For the first time in program history Buffalo won a share of the MAC East Title and is the first D1 Buffalo women’s volleyball team to ever reach 23 wins. 

The Buffalo Bulls fell in straight sets, 17-25, 21-25, 21-25. It was a very offense-heavy night in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A ton of big swings, big blocks, and not too many errors by Bowling Green. Senior Outside Hitter/Middle Blocker, Katrin Trebichavska led the Bulls with 13 kills as Freshman Outside Hitter/Right Side, Manoela Forlin, added 10 kills. Junior setter Mandy Leigh supplied 33 assists.

The Bulls had difficulty keeping the momentum throughout the first set despite tying the Falcons five times. Blocking Bowling Green’s Lauryn Hovey was essential to Buffalo’s strategy. The Falcons gain separation leading 23-17 causing Coach Smith to call his second timeout of the first set. Bowling Green blocks Trebichavska, closing out the first set on a 7-0 run. 

Buffalo took the lead 2-0 in the start of the second set with several two-point leads. After tying the set at 15, Bowling Green gains confidence and Buffalo was outhit, .419 to .333. The Falcons leading 24-20, forced a Buffalo timeout. The Bulls landed a point after the timeout, but Bowling Green responded to take the set. 

At the beginning of the third set, Buffalo fell into a 6-2 hole. The Bulls put together a 3-0 run to catch up 20-15 Falcons. After Bowling Greens timeout, the score stretched to 23-19. Buffalo and Bowling Green traded points to the end of the third set. The Falcons prevailed, 25-21, to advance to the Mid-American Conference Championship against Western Michigan.