The volleyball team looked to salvage their four-game home stand with two games during the weekend.
However, the losing streak continued as Buffalo (5-15, 0-6 Mid-American Conference) lost to Miami (OH) in straight sets on Friday and were unable to top Bowling Green on Saturday, losing 3-1.
The Bulls kept it close in two of the three sets against Miami (10-7, 4-1 MAC) but were unable to win a game, losing 25-21, 25-11, 25-22. Even with the close sets, the Red Hawks outplayed Buffalo, outhitting the Bulls .261 to .036.
After suffering the Friday loss, the Bulls looked to salvage the weekend against Bowling Green (14-6, 4-2 MAC). While Buffalo looked down and out after losing the first two sets, the team had more energy and consistency in the third, winning 29-27 to keep the match alive.
Unfortunately the Falcons rebounded to capture the fourth set, 25-22, and the match.
The two losses push the Bulls losing streak to six. All six games have come in conference play.
With the Bulls suffering from injuries to key players, the team hopes the players that are filling in can come into the game and start playing with more consistency.
"We need to be more efficient and stay focused on the court," said junior outside-hitter Maria Mezzadri. "Consistency is definitely something we need to work on as a team."
Team injuries are turning out to be something that Lodes and his team are learning to deal with this season. It's giving more players a chance to play.
"We are a little depleted and I'm proud that we keep fighting with those injuries and our players are doing well with taking on new roles on the court," Lodes said. "We are finding out if we have depth, which isn't something that we'd wish we had to do but I'm happy that we keep fighting and my players are committed to working hard."
Even with the two losses, it was apparent the Bulls were more in rhythm in Saturday night's game against the Falcons than in the Miami game. Their hitting percentage increased to .217 on Saturday and the Bulls performed much better in each of the four games.
The team took time between their matches to discuss what they needed to do in Saturday's match. The reflection proved to be vital, as the Bulls played with more consistency in Saturday's match, especially in the later games.
"I think in games one and two we would match their energy and then relax, but in games three and four we matched it and stayed with it," Lodes said. "It allowed us to win the third set and feel good going into the fourth."
The Bulls head back on the road this upcoming weekend, heading to Dekalb, Ill. to take on the Northern Illinois Huskies on Friday and then to Kalamazoo, Mich. to play Western Michigan on Saturday.
