Falcon Volleyball Picks Up Pace Toward Season With Exhibition, Dream BiG Event
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University volleyball team completed the final steps of the preseason on Saturday (Aug. 23), hosting Youngstown State in an exhibition match before holding the program's fourth annual Dream BiG fundraiser, both inside the Stroh Center. The Falcons claimed a victory on the court before transitioning to the highest attended fundraiser in the history of Dream BiG. With the two events, the momentum for BGVB will shift to the regular season, scheduled to begin on Friday, Aug. 29 with an invitational at North Dakota State.
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University volleyball team completed the final steps of the preseason on Saturday (Aug. 23), hosting Youngstown State in an exhibition match before holding the program's fourth annual Dream BiG fundraiser, both inside the Stroh Center. The Falcons claimed a victory on the court before transitioning to the highest attended fundraiser in the history of Dream BiG. With the two events, the momentum for BGVB will shift to the regular season, scheduled to begin on Friday, Aug. 29 with an invitational at North Dakota State.
The Match
- The Falcons and Penguins played four sets inside the Stroh Center in an exhibition match on Saturday (Aug. 23). The two teams agreed prior to the match to play a minimum of four sets regardless of scores. Returners for the Falcons led the way while newcomers made their mark in their debut donning the Orange and Brown with Bowling Green claiming the win on the court.
Dream BiG
- BGVB welcomed fans back inside the Stroh Center after the exhibition for the program's fourth annual Dream BiG fundraiser, drawing the largest crowd in the history of the event.
- Steve Iwanek, a BGSU graduate and radio voice of the 2023 BGVB season, served as the evening's emcee, leading the direction of the night that included speeches from BGSU's Director of Athletics Derek van der Merwe, Head Coach Alex DelPiombo and this year's Keynote Speaker Stephanie Swiger ('08).
- The speeches began with van der Merwe touching on the sense of community and the unique village that surrounds the volleyball program. He also reflected on the mirrored success of the program and the university in general as BGSU welcomes the largest freshman class in the university's history as well as the highest GPA for an incoming class. van der Merwe closed his section noting the academic excellence and community participation of the volleyball program around athletics, campus and the city of Bowling Green.
- DelPiombo followed, beginning with thanks to those involved with the program as well as those assisting with the team over the last two weeks while she's been away following the birth of her son, Elias. DelPiombo focused on being present with the team and enjoying the reality that surrounds both herself and the program in general. She closed with the importance of the community in the building and retention of the players in the program.
- "These players are here because of you. This place is special and I want to live in this reality with every single one of you."
- Swiger, the Keynote Speaker, concluded the speaking portions of the event with a powerful message on how BGSU shaped her. Swiger highlighted the care and attention that those with Bowling Green emphasize with each student-athlete and the impact notable mentors had on her during her time with the Falcons.
- "When August rolls around, my heart calls out to this place. When volleyball season starts, I want to be here."
- "This is a place of top-to-bottom, inside-out transformation. That is the theme here."
- "I learned everything I do everyday from the volleyball court here."
- The event concluded with a trio of fundraising initiatives led by Van Wright. A live auction and a silent auction were both held, including items such as plates designed by the team, traveling with the team for an away match and a plate of brownies from Amanda Otten's bakery "Mandy's Candys." The third fundraising initiative was Raise the Paddle, drawing in funds for new lockers that will be part of locker room renovations for the program.
Up Next
The Falcons will open the 2025 season on the road at North Dakota State. BGSU's season will start with a doubleheader on Friday, Aug. 29, taking on Temple at 2 p.m. EST before turning around to face host North Dakota State at 7 p.m. EST. The home opener for the Orange and Brown is set for Sept. 17 with a 6 p.m. first serve against Oakland.
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