Bowling Green Club Dodgeball has opened its season with a demanding early schedule, traveling to tournaments at Ohio State, Cincinnati, Akron, and Ohio University. Despite fielding a young roster with only four returning starters, the Falcons have shown steady improvement and resilience while matching up against some of the top programs in the NCDA.
Season Opener at Ohio State
The Falcons began their season in Columbus with match ups against Akron, Ohio State, and Cleveland State. The opener against Akron served as a tough learning experience as BG fell 7–0 while adjusting to new roles and the loss of star player Nathan Phillips, who left the game with an injury.
Bowling Green continued with a 6–1 loss to Ohio State, followed by a 5–0 defeat to Cleveland State. Despite the score line, the Falcons showed strong progress, particularly in the second half against CSU. Jackson Peterson delivered several key plays and catches that provided a spark for the emerging roster.
Clifton Heights Classic at the University of Cincinnati
The Falcons rebounded with a more competitive showing at the Clifton Heights Classic. They opened the day with a narrow 3–2 loss to Ohio University, battling back from an early 0–2 deficit to nearly steal the match.
Bowling Green then fell 4–2 to Cincinnati in a tightly contested match highlighted by impressive performances from Nathan Woolley and Wesley Nidzgorski.
The Falcons closed the tournament with a statement victory, sweeping Northern Kentucky 7–0 behind dominant performances from Gavin Gillard and Jack Price. The win marked one of BG's most complete team efforts of the young season.
Unbeaten Run at Akron's Pink Out Tournament
Bowling Green turned in its strongest performance of the season at Akron's annual Pink Out Tournament, going a perfect 3–0 on the day.
The Falcons opened with a 5–4 win over Maryland, a match BG controlled for most of the game despite a late surge from the Terrapins. BG followed with a commanding 6–1 victory over Northern Kentucky, during which the Falcons confidently played multiple full points with an all-rookie lineup. Gavin Gillard and Jackson Peterson again stood out with multiple hits and catches throughout the match.
Bowling Green closed the day with a 5–0 shutout of Akron B, resting nearly all of its starters and relying almost entirely on its rookie core. The depth and development of the young roster were on full display as BG secured its first undefeated tournament of the season.
Facing National Powerhouses at Ohio University
The Falcons continued their momentum into a challenging tournament at Ohio University, where they faced three top-8 nationally ranked opponents.
Bowling Green opened with a thrilling 5–4 loss against Grand Valley State, one of the strongest programs in the league. Nathan Phillips, returning to form after his early-season injury, delivered an outstanding performance that kept BG within striking distance until the final moments.
In the second match, the Falcons fell 5–2 to James Madison, a team whose depth and experience proved difficult to counter. BG closed the day with a 6–2 loss to Kent State, though the game featured breakout play from rookie Ethan Baum "Slime", whose clutch catches solidified his promotion into the starting lineup.
Despite early setbacks and a young roster, Bowling Green Club Dodgeball has showcased significant growth through the first stretch of the season. With emerging rookie talent, returning stars regaining form, and strong leadership across the lineup, the Falcons appear poised for continued improvement as they head into the next semester.
