Fresno State Athletics
Soaring High
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
By Jan Winslow
Fresno State Media Relations
FRESNO, Calif.- The Fresno State volleyball team isn't taking anything for granted - not its national rankings in the polls or statistics or even its 12-match win streak.
One of five NCAA Division 1 women's volleyball teams in the nation that remain undefeated, Fresno State knows that the main stretch of the season is just beginning. The months of October and November will determine the 'Dogs' postseason travel but it's been a great beginning for the nationally-ranked Fresno State Bulldog volleyball team.
Officially off to the program's best start in school history, Fresno State is ranked 20th in Volleyball Magazine and 24th in the USA Today/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top 25 Poll after receiving votes the last three weeks in the USA Today/AVCA poll.
Fresno State, which plays 12 of its first 16 matches on the road, went undefeated in the month of September (12-0) while capturing three invitational wins. Until a WAC weekend homestand with Utah and BYU on Oct. 16 and 17, the Bulldogs only home appearance was Sept. 11-12 in their own invitational in which they won with a spotless 4-0 record.
Boasting a Top 25 schedule, the Bulldogs have been successful on the road with an 8-0 worksheet that already includes wins over four teams that received votes in the national poll (Arkansas State, Cal Poly, Sacramento State and San Diego State). Down the road, Fresno State will meet two-time defending national champion and seventh-ranked Stanford in non-conference action as well as No. 5 BYU and No. 10 Hawai'i in WAC Pacific Division play.
Fresno State opened divisional play on the road with a five-game thriller over San Diego State - it's first win in San Diego since 1992 - the last weekend in September. As a result, the Bulldogs improved to 6-2 in WAC openers under eighth-year head coach Lindy Vivas. Overlooked by the NCAA Tournament committee, the two-time WAC Coach of the Year has directed the 'Dogs to six 20-win seasons and led the Bulldogs to a 24-9 record in 1997 while winning 14 of their last 17 matches.
On the court, however, is where it's at and three Bulldogs have certainly shown their teeth.
Senior outside hitter Shanus Bennett, senior middle blocker Kara McKeown and junior middle blocker Anamie Buckelew have been one reason why the Bulldogs are ranked 15th nationally in kills per game (17.28) as well as being tied for first in the country in matches won/lost.
Bennett's emotional charge on the court has given the Bulldogs one of the best outside hitters in the WAC.
Bennett, a 1997 Second Team All-WAC selection, ranks 20th nationally in kills per game (4.77 kpg) and is second in the league. Already a WAC Player of the Week pick and a three-time all-tournament choice this season, the 5-9 El Paso, Texas native has recorded double-figure kills in every match but one and has notched 20 or more kills in six matches to date.
Majoring in communications, Bennett already ranks among the Top 10 in school history in career kills and digs and she'll be looking to become only the seventh Bulldog in the program's history to pound out 1,000 or more career kills.
McKeown's never say die attitude has bolstered the Bulldogs' blocking at the net as well as create another offensive tool.
Coming back from an ACL injury and missing the last 20 matches of the season, McKeown sparked the 'Dogs to a conference win over San Diego State with her first career triple-double (13 kills, 11 digs, 13 total blocks) in her very first conference appearance as a Bulldog.
Just needing time to put her whole game together after missing nearly two thirds of the 1997 season as well as spring ball, the 6-1 exercise science major let it all hang out in the WAC season opener after recording a career-best seven block solos and 13 total blocks against the Aztecs.
Playing anywhere on the court has made the play of Buckelew invaluable.
Whether she's on the outside or in the middle or in the back row, Buckelew's versatility has allowed her to showcase her talents this season with consistency with a patent for outstanding defense.
Snagging MVP honors at the Oregon Nike and Spikeoff Spokane Tournaments, Buckelew hit a blistering .464 (75-17-125) in her first four matches of the season. Leading the team in hitting percentage (.270) and aces (19) while second in blocks (36) and digs (124), the 6-1 Gresham, Ore., native opened the season with seven straight matches in double-figure kills and has had at least 10 or more kills in every match but one and 10 or more digs in every match but four.
Coming into her own this season, junior middle blocker Adrienne Sankey has responded with all-tournament honors at the Fresno State Volleyball Invitational and recording double-figure kills in five matches. With a career-best 17 digs against Sacramento State and 10 total blocks against Gonzaga, the 6-0 Richmond, BC native is second on the team in total blocks and block solos.
Directing the offense on the court rests on the shoulders of junior setter Diann Aufdermaur. At 5-9, the liberal studies major ranks third all-time in school history in career assists (2,597) and is only the third Bulldog to dish out more than 2,500 assists.
Newcomers and first-year veterans have proven to be indispensable.
All the way from Bolsward, Netherlands, sophomore outside hitter Akkelien Altena is third on the team in kills and hitting and fourth in digs. At 6-3, Altena's collegiate debut at the Oregon Nike Invitational yielded a double-double performance (22 kills, 18 digs) against Cal Poly.
Freshman outside hitter Christy Burnett has sparked the Bulldogs' offense when Altena needed a rest. The Southern California native has 10 or more kills in three matches with three double-doubles on the season.
Behind every successful team there are the nameless heroes whose stats do not always show up on a final box score.
Whether it's getting that game-winning serve over the net, picking up the dig off your own block or shutting down the opponent at the net with great blocking, sophomores Malia Malu, Leilua Satele and Tami Thoreson along with freshmen Kristin Pierpont and Shauna McQuaid make the 1998 Fresno State volleyball team a total package.
A chance to soar higher in 1998? Why not.
