:48 Aces, 26th in the Nation

Hit .300+ in 10 MAC matches

Hit .370+ in six of the last seven matches

9th MAC Player of the Year in Program History

Six Different Falcons Collect Total Of Seven MAC Honors

By: by Kyle Edmond, BGSU Athletics

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference announced the MAC Awards for the 2024 volleyball season Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 20). Of those named, the Falcons collected seven different honors from the conference. Lauryn Hovey was named the MAC Player of the Year and earned her third All-MAC First Team recognition in as many seasons. Head Coach Danijela Tomic was named the MAC Coach of the Year for the third time in her BGSU tenure. Alexis Mettille and Amanda Otten were both named All-MAC First Team while Jessica Andrews and Mia Tyler earned All-MAC Second Team. Bowling Green has now had at least one All-MAC First Team honoree in nine consecutive seasons, going back to 2016 and an All-MAC recognition in 14 straight seasons, dating back to 2011. 

Coach Tomic's Take
"Having five of our players named to the All-MAC teams is a tremendous recognition for our program and a well-deserved honor for Lauryn, Alexis, Amanda, Jessica, and Mia. They have been key contributors to our team's success, helping us capture the MAC Regular Season title with their leadership and consistent, high-level performances. All of them have put in countless hours of hard work, not just this season but throughout their careers, to be the best for the team. What makes this even more meaningful is the way our entire team has come together to support each other, allowing each player to shine. The collective effort and unity of this group are the driving forces behind their individual success. I couldn't be prouder of what we've accomplished together, and I couldn't be more excited to see them continue to shine as we push forward."

Lauryn Hovey, Junior, Opposite: MAC Player of the Year, All-MAC First Team
Lauryn Hovey has been the catalyst for the Falcons this year, contributing across the board this season. Hovey leads the team in kills, aces and points while being second in digs and third in blocks. This year, Hovey's 48 aces are the second-most during the program's Rally Scoring Era, trailing only her 59 from last season. Her ace total is tied for 26th in the nation and second in the MAC. As for the attack, Hovey is sixth in the conference for kills per set, averaging 3.37. During MAC play, Hovey has hit .300 or better in 10 matches, including hitting .370 or better in six of the last seven with a career-best .609 against Northern Illinois with 17 kills on Nov. 9. She also registered a season-high 23 kills in the regular season finale against Ohio to clinch the MAC Regular Season title. 

This is Hovey's first time being named MAC Player of the Year and the ninth for BGSU Volleyball. The last was Petra Indrova, earning the award in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022. Kallie Seimet also was named in 2017 and 2018, making Hovey the fifth honoree for BGSU over the last eight seasons. As for her All-MAC First Team recognition, it is the third of Hovey's career. She's now the fifth Falcon to be named All-MAC First Team at least three times, joining Kendra Halm ('06, '07, '08), Petra Indrova ('20, '21, '22), Katelyn Meyer ('18, '19, '20, '21) and Tammy Schiller ('89, '90, '91).

Coach Tomic's Take
"We are thrilled that Lauryn was named MAC Player of the Year and recognized for her contributions to our program, exceptional talent, work ethic, humility, and leadership.  Lauryn's dedication to her craft, consistently delivering clutch performances, and ability to make everyone around her better have been key to our success. She has earned the respect of her teammates, coaches, and opponents across the league and the country, and this award reflects the hard work she has put in throughout her entire career. While this is a personal honor for Lauryn, she will be the first one to acknowledge that her success is also a reflection of the incredible support and teamwork within our program. Lauryn's ability to elevate her game and play at the highest level is a direct result of the collective effort of her teammates, who have pushed her to be better every day."