FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The Bowling Green State University volleyball team on Sunday night (Dec. 1) accepted an invitation to compete in the 2024 National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC). The 2024 MAC Champion Falcons will host Binghamton on Wednesday (Dec. 4) at the Stroh Center. The winner of the match between BGSU and Binghamton will advance to face Wright State on Thursday (Dec. 5) inside the Stroh Center. Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m. starts.  

"We are excited to participate in the 2024 NIVC and to host the first two rounds on the Mo and Jon Stansbery Court at the Stroh Center," said head coach Danijela Tomic. "Playing in the postseason is an incredible opportunity for our team to extend its fantastic championship journey together and learn how to compete and win in the postseason. I also would like to express our gratitude to the BGSU Athletics leadership for their support in hosting the NIVC and allowing us to share more special moments with our amazing Falcon fans."

NIVC Schedule
Round 1: Bowling Green vs. Binghamton, 7 p.m., Bowling Green, Ohio
Round 2: BGSU/Binghamton vs. Wright State, 7 p.m., Bowling Green, Ohio

This will mark the sixth time in program history that the Falcons will partake in the postseason tournament, and the first time since 2019. The Falcons were runner-ups in 1992, finished third in 1993, made first round appearances in 2017 and 2018 and advanced to the second round in 2019. In 2019, the Falcons topped Purdue Fort Wayne in the first round, winning in four sets. Play for this year's tournament will begin on Thursday, December 4. On the year, the Falcons hold a record of 21-9 on the year while finishing 16-2 in the Mid-American Conference. The Orange and Brown captured the outright MAC Championship, finishing first in the conference during the regular season.

Binghamton is coming off a 19-10 regular season record while going 8-2 within the America East Conference, capturing the regular season title. In the AEC Tournament, the Bearcats lost in four sets to Albany. Leading the way for Binghamton is Tsvetelina Ilieva who was named the America East Player of the Year for the third consecutive season. Lottie Scully claimed the Setter of the Year award as well while three Bearcats were named All-Conference First Team, one named All-Conference Second Team and another named All-Rookie. During the season, Binghamton faced one MAC team, going against Toledo back on Aug. 30, falling to the Rockets in three sets. 

Wright State posted a 24-6 record this season, being 16-2 in the Horizon League. The Raiders claimed the regular season title in the Horizon League, but lost in their first tournament match to Green Bay in five sets. At the conclusion of the regular season, Lauren Yacobucci was named the Horizon League Setter of the Year for Wright State while head coach Travers Green was named the Coach of the Year for the third straight season. In total, WSU had three players named All-Conference First Team, one named All-Conference Second Team and two named to the All-Freshman Team. The Raiders and Falcons met earlier this season at the Tru by Hilton Dayton Beavercreek Invitational on Sept. 8 with BGSU claiming a four set victory. 

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