KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Maggie King (22) and Keona Salesman (21) became the first duo to record 20 or more kills in the same match under head coach Colleen Munson, but Western Michigan ultimately fell in five sets (19-25, 25-21, 25-22, 18-25, 15-12) to Bowling Green on Saturday at University Arena.
 
FINAL SCORE: Bowling Green 3, Western Michigan 2
LOCATION: University Arena (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
RECORDS: Western Michigan (12-7, 4-3 MAC) | Bowling Green (10-7, 5-1 MAC)
 
King also added a match-high 24 digs to become the first player to post 20+ kills and 20+ digs in the same match for the Broncos since Rachel Bontrager collected 22 kills and 26 digs in WMU's MAC Tournament Semifinal victory over Ohio during the Spring 2021 season.
 
Salesman's 21 kills were a new career high, and came on a .302 hitting percentage. Abi Wilcoxson was also in double-figures for the Broncos, as the junior put down a career-high tying 15 kills while hitting .357. Setter Logan Case reached 60 assists for the second time this season, and also added 18 digs for her team-leading seventh double-double of the campaign. Andelyn Simkins chipped in 19 digs and seven assists for Western Michigan.
 
The Broncos equaled their season-best with 11 blocks, paced by six block assists from Amanda Glanton and four from Salesman.
 
WMU broke a 4-4 tie in the first set with a 15-4 surge to open up a 19-8 advantage. BGSU got to within six, 23-17, before a pair of King kills sealed the opening frame for the Broncos.
 
The Falcons used a 5-1 run to gain some breathing room in the second set, 15-10. A four-point streak got WMU within one, 16-15, but BGSU countered with four of the next five to push the margin back to four, 20-16. Once again, the Broncos got to within one, 20-19, but Bowling Green held on to even the match at one set apiece going into the break.
 
A 6-0 run helped BGSU break a 10-10 tie and seize a 16-10 lead in the third set. At 23-17, Western Michigan used a 5-1 run to close the gap to 24-22, but the Falcons took the next point to grab a 2-1 match advantage.
In the fourth set, Western Michigan tallied five consecutive points to turn a 7-5 deficit into a 10-7 lead. Bowling Green evened the frame at 11-11, but the Broncos took five of the next six to go back on top, 16-12. Holding an 18-16 edge, WMU reeled off six in a row to get to set point, with Salesman registering the clinching kill to send the contest into a decisive fifth set.
 
With the fifth set even at 6-6, the Falcons used a 4-1 spurt to move in front, 10-7. Western Michigan took the next point, but another three straight by BGSU pushed the visitors' lead to 13-8. The Broncos managed to fight off three consecutive match points, but Bowling Green finished the set off at 15-12 to claim the five-set victory.
 
Western Michigan continues its homestand next Friday and Saturday as it welcomes Toledo to town for a two-match series. The Broncos and Rockets open the weekend at 3:30 pm on Friday afternoon. Tickets for all WMU home volleyball matches can be purchased at wmubroncos.com/tickets.