Fresno State Athletics
Volleyball Wraps Up Season with WAC Semifinal Appearance
11/19/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 19, 2001
FRESNO, Calif. -
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McQuaid Garners WAC All-Tournament Honors
Senior middle blocker Shauna McQuaid (San Diego, Calif.) was selected to the 2001 Western Athletic Conference Volleyball Championship all-tournament team. In the WAC championship tournament, McQuaid totaled 33 kills for a 4.13 kill per game average. Hitting .250 in the league tournament, McQuaid also had 11 total blocks for a 1.38 block per game average. McQuaid led the Bulldogs to a 1-1 tourney mark and had a match-high 20 kills and seven blocks against Rice and a team-high 13 kills and four blocks against Hawai'i. The nine-player all-tournament team featured four players from WAC tournament champion Hawai'i, which was led by Most Valuable Player Kim Willoughby. San Jose State had three and Nevada had one named all-tournament.
Bulldogs Advance to WAC Semifinals
Fresno State, which entered the WAC Volleyball Championship Tournament as the No. 5 seed, advanced to the semifinal round for the first time. Receiving a first-round bye, the Bulldogs opened tourney action with No. 4 seed and Eastern Division champion Rice last Friday. Trailing two games to none, Fresno State roared back for the second time this season from a 2-0 deficit and defeated Rice, 3-2 (31-33, 27-30, 30-17, 30-20, 15-7) in the quarterfinal round. Fresno State, which has advanced to the quarterfinal round in 1996 and 1997 and lost in the first round in the 1998 WAC championship, avenged a regular-season loss to Rice suffered on the road on Oct. 7. Fresno State halted Rice's nine-match win streak and earned the right to meet top seed and 11th-ranked Hawai'i in the semifinals. Battling Hawai'i in Honolulu just two weeks ago, the Bulldogs challenged the Rainbow Wahine as UH had to come from behind in four of the six games played. However, Hawai'i would not deter from its quest of defending its WAC tournament crown captured in 1998 -- the last time a WAC championship was contested.
Hawai'i Defends WAC Tournament Crown
After a two-year hiatus the league resumed a WAC Volleyball Championship Tournament, which was held last week at The Event Center on the campus of San Jose State University. The ten-team four-day tournament field showcased just two extra-game matches out of the nine played as seven were won via sweeps. Hawai'i snagged the league's NCAA automatic bid after defeating No. 2 seed San Jose State, 3-0, this past Sunday. Hawai'i finished as the runner-up to BYU the first two years (1996, 1997) while claiming the 1998 championship crown after defeating the Cougars and the 2001 championship title after sweeping the Spartans.
Head Coach Lindy Vivas
In 11 seasons as head coach of the Bulldog volleyball program, Lindy Vivas (UCLA, 1980) captured her 200th win at Fresno State on Oct. 8 with a sweep over SMU. Leading the Bulldog volleyball program to its 450th win in the five-game decision over Rice in the quarterfinal round of the WAC Volleyball Championship on Nov. 16, Vivas has directed the 'Dogs to five postseason appearances in and has led the Bulldogs to six 20-win campaigns. The two-time WAC Coach of the Year honoree has led the Bulldogs to two NCAA Tournament showings (1991, 1998) and three NIVC appearances (1995-94-92) since her arrival in 1991. Averaging 19 wins a year with a 94-47 (.660) home court record, Vivas has coached three all-region and 19 all-WAC picks (22 all-league overall). Vivas, who led the Bulldogs to four straight WAC Volleyball Tournaments (1996-98, 2001), owns a 15-year career record of 276-200 (.580) and an 11-year school record of 204-140 (.594).
2001 WAC Volleyball Championship Tournament Recap
Quarterfinals vs. No. 4 seed Rice: It was a battle between the best two blocking teams in the WAC. It also was a chance for redemption for one and a chance to reach new heights for both. No. 5 seed Fresno State avenged a regular-season loss to No. 4 seed Rice with a five-game quarterfinal round victory (31-33, 27-30, 30-17, 30-20, 15-7). Trailing 2-0, the Bulldogs stormed back behind an offensive power that showcased a .300 hitting efficiency in each of the final three games. Ending Rice's nine-match win streak and overcoming a team that ranked No. 16 nationally in blocks (3.03 bpg), Fresno State answered with season-highs in kills (84), total attempts (216), assists (79) and digs (94) as two Bulldogs notched a double-double, four with double-digit kill performances and five with double-figure dig performances. Freshman setter Whitney Arena (West Linn, Ore.), a second team all-WAC pick, dished out a season-high 70 assists and collected a personal-best 17 digs. McQuaid led all players with 20 kills and had seven total blocks. Freshman defensive specialist Tina Brennan (Woodinville, Wash.) had a team and season-best 18 digs while sophomore middle blocker Carrie Hartt (Manteca, Calif.) had a career-high 14 kills. The win over Rice snapped a three-match win streak by the Owls as Fresno State improved to 5-3 in the all-time series.
Semifinals vs. No. 1 seed Hawai'i:
Fresno State gave top seed and No. 11 Hawai'i a battle in the semifinal round but the Rainbow Wahine offense and outstanding defense gave UH its fourth consecutive trip to the WAC Championship match with a 30-18, 30-25, 30-18 sweep over the Bulldogs. Trying to find its rhythm after game one, Fresno State charged back with 13 ties and held a two-point lead over Hawai'i for most of the second half of game two. UH broke a 22-22 tie and shut the door on the 'Dogs attempt to push the match to four games. In game three, Fresno State stayed within three points and rallied back to take a 9-8 lead. Staying within two up until 19-17, UH got seven points off Bulldog errors and sealed the victory with a 12 point margin in the finale. Fresno State was led by McQuaid, who had a team-high 13 kills and a match-high four blocks. Brennan again led the 'Dogs in digs (10). Boasting six consecutive regular-season WAC titles while being nationally-ranked for 129 consecutive weeks, UH extended its win streak to 21 straight while winning 30 consecutive games.
Bulldogs in the NCAA Stats
Fresno State has ranked all nine weeks in blocking with its highest appearance being No. 19 twice (2.99 bpg on Oct. 14 and 3.00 bpg on Nov. 7). Individually, McQuaid has appeared all nine weeks among the nation's best. First showing in hitting with a No. 37 ranking with a .385 average, she has been ranked the last eight weeks in blocking. McQuaid's highest showing was No. 20 twice (1.41 on Sept. 23 and 1.53 on Sept. 30).
Three Bulldogs Named All-WAC
Three Bulldogs were named to the 2001 All-Western Athletic Conference Team. First team honors went to McQuaid while second team accolades went to junior outside hitter Christy Burnett (Fallbrook, Calif.) and Arena. Selected by the WAC's head coaches, the conference postseason honors are a first for these three Bulldogs. The three picks marks the third time under Vivas that three Bulldogs have been earmarked for all-WAC accolades (2001, 1999, 1992). In addition, Arena is the second freshman to receive all-WAC recognition but the first to actually be named to a team. Setter Brenda Gregersen was named the 1992 Freshman of the Year but was not selected to the first or second team. Overall, Arena is the third Bulldog setter to be honored. McQuaid is the fourth middle blocker to be named all-WAC while Burnett is the 10th outside hitter selected.
Sweet Success at Home
Fresno State set one school record this season. The Bulldogs shattered the school record for consecutive home wins with nine this fall - the old record was five in 1998. The Bulldogs went 10-2 at home this year -- marking the fourth time under Vivas and overall in school history that Fresno State has posted 10 or more wins (1994, 1995, 1997, 2001). With the school record being 11 for most home court victories (1995), the Bulldogs' original mark for most home wins was nine in 1984.
Bulldogs in the First Half of Season
In the first 12 matches of the year, the Bulldogs went 9-3 with a tournament title in their own invitational. Boasting a nine-match win streak and posting an 8-0 record at home, Fresno State went 1-3 on the road with two losses to regionally-ranked teams (Florida State and No. 17 Pepperdine) and notched a 4-0 WAC worksheet. Leading the way offensively for the 'Dogs was McQuaid. The first team all-WAC performer hit .370 (156-42-308) and averaged 4.00 kills per game. McQuaid also led the Bulldogs in blocks with 57 total for a 1.46 block per game average. Junior middle blocker Java Johnson (Fresno, Calif.) was second to McQuaid in blocks with 53 total for a 1.29 block per game average. Defensively, three Bulldogs tallied more than 120 digs in Burnett (144, 3.35 dpg), freshman outside hitter Kristen Fenton (Marysville, Mich.) with 126 for a 2.80 dig per game average and sophomore outside hitter Kara Verwey (Kerman, Calif.) with 122 for a 2.77 dig per game average. Junior defensive specialist Heather Farr (Cameron Park, Calif.) led the way with 20 service aces (0.45 sapg) while Fenton (14) and Verwey (10) followed. Arena dished out 472 assists for a 10.98 assist per game average.
Bulldogs in the Second Half of Season
In the final 12 matches of the year, the Bulldogs played the hardest part of their WAC schedule. Going 5-7 in the second half, Fresno State played eight matches on the road and nine overall were league matches. Six losses came by the hands of three regionally-ranked teams that either received votes or were ranked in the USA Today/AVCA Coaches Top 25 poll (Nevada, San Jose State and Hawai'i). Posting a 3-6 league mark, the Bulldogs battled eastern division champion Rice (lost 3-0), western division runner-up Nevada (W 3-1, L 3-0), western division and WAC champion Hawai'i (L 3-0, L 3-0, L 3-0) and WAC runner-up San Jose State (L 3-2, L 3-1). Burnett led the team with a .257 hitting percentage after tallying 150 kills for a 3.49 kill per game average. She also led the team in digs with 153 for a 3.56 dig per game average and service aces with 17 for a 0.40 ace per game average. McQuaid notched 165 kills (3.84 kpg) and 61 total blocks (1.42 bpg). Verwey followed with 139 kills (3.39 kpg), 91 digs (2.22 dpg) and 11 service aces (0.27 sapg). Starting all 24 matches, Arena totaled 525 assists for a 12.80 assist per game average.
Banquet Awards Dinner
The annual Fresno State volleyball awards banquet will be held on Sunday, Dec. 9, 12:00 p.m. at TorNino's. A social will begin at 12:00 p.m. with the dinner to start at 12:30 p.m. Information: 278-6833.
Hot 'Dog
Burnett was the most consistent Bulldog in the past month and a half (last 12 matches). Burnett, who had 14 aces in her last seven matches (0.53 sapg, 26 games), hit .257 (150-53-378). Averaging 3.49 kills per game and 3.55 digs per game, the second team all-WAC pick also led the team with 17 aces (0.40) and totaled 18 total blocks (0.42 bpg) in her last 40 games in the 12-match stretch. Having ranked among the WAC's top ten in digs in overall matches and in league matches, Burnett also appeared in the WAC' top 10 in hitting, kills per game and service aces this season. With six double-doubles in her last 12 matches, Burnett had 10 or more kills in seven and averaged 12.50 kills a match. She also had 10 or more digs in eight of her last 12 and averaged 12.75 digs a match. Burnett led all Bulldogs with nine double-doubles on the season.
Impact Made
Sweeping up WAC honors with preseason, first team and all-tournament accolades, McQuaid led the WAC in hitting in six of the last 11 weeks and in blocking throughout the season. Currently ranked No. 30 in blocks per game (1.45) in the latest NCAA statistics (Nov. 14), McQuaid has been ranked in the Top 30 in blocking for eight consecutive weeks while making one appearance in hitting (No. 37, .385). McQuaid led the Bulldogs in seven categories this season: kills (321), kills per game (3.91), hitting (.289), block solos (21), block assists (97), total blocks (118) and blocks per game (1.44). With 991 career kills, she played in 85 matches and 294 games. McQuaid, a three-year starter, finished her career ranked in seven all-time Top 10 school records.
Arena Shines
Getting the starting nod at setter, Arena quarterbacked the Bulldogs in 24 straight and averaged nearly 12 assists per game (11.87). Ranked among the WAC's top 10 this season, Arena dished out 997 assists out of the team's 1,242. Arena was consistent in conference play as well with a 12.71 assist per game average in 13 WAC matches. She dished out 534 assists out of the team's 648 in league play. In the second half of the season, Arena averaged 12.80 assists per game (525 in 41 games). The second team all-WAC pick had a career-high 70 assists against Rice in the quarterfinal round of the WAC tournament. With double-figure digs in four matches and tallying a block in every match but five, Arena recorded 40 or more assists 12 times, 50 or more assists seven times and 60 or more assists four times.
'Dogs Capture Own Tournament Title
The Bulldogs shook off an 0-3 start and rejuvenated themselves with a 4-0 tournament record and a tournament crown. Winning the 15th Annual Fresno State Invitational, the 'Dogs picked up victories over Morgan State, Sacramento State, UMKC and Arkansas-Little Rock. With a tourney title in its back pocket, Fresno State has won five of the last eight and boasts eight titles overall since 1987. Four Bulldogs were named to the all-tournament team in Arena, Verwey, Johnson and McQuaid. Arena was named MVP after dishing out 193 assists for a 12.06 assist per game average.
WAC Attendance
Totaling 5,930 fans in 12 home dates, Fresno State finished third among WAC schools in average attendance with 494 per date. The Bulldogs' highest attendance draw of the season was 757 against then No. 12 Hawai'i on Oct. 20.
2001 Bulldog Volleyball
Fr., S, Whitney Arena
Season-high eight kills vs. Sac State ... season-best 70 assists & 17 digs vs. Rice ... started all 24 matches ... averaged 11.87 assists per game ... in last 12 matches, averaged 12.80 assists per game (525 in 41 games) ... MVP of Fresno State Invitational ... 2001 second team all-WAC pick.
Fr., DS, Tina Brennan
Season-best 18 digs vs. Rice ... has appeared in 23 matches ... averaged 2.14 digs per game ... had three double-figure dig matches.
Jr., OH, Christy Burnett
In last 12 matches, hit .257 (150-53-378) for a 3.49 kpg average & a 3.56 dpg average ...picked up first 20-kill match on year with 21 vs. San Jose State ... followed with a career-high 28 kills vs. SJSU (fourth career 20-kill match)... picked up second career 20/20 (28 kills, 20 digs) vs. SJSU ... had 10+ digs in every match but seven (17 of 24) ... set career-high 21 digs vs. Florida State & Nevada ... led team in digs (297) for a 3.45 dig per game average ... set career-high five aces vs. CS Northridge ... tied career-high four block assists & total blocks vs. Rice and Boise State ... had nine double-doubles on year ... started all 24 matches ... in career, has 31 ten-plus kill matches, four 20+ kill, 43 double-figure dig matches, four 20+ dig matches, 27 double-doubles & two 20/20 matches ... 2001 second team all-WAC pick.
Jr., DS, Heather Farr
Career-high 12 digs vs. #17 Pepperdine ... appeared in all 24 matches ... tied career-best with three aces five times this season ... led team in service aces (24) ... in career, has five 10+ dig matches.
Fr., OH, Kristen Fenton
Opened year with a double-double (12 kills, 21 digs vs. Florida State) to go with seven total blocks & four service aces ... season-best 13 kills vs. UTEP ... season-high six assists vs. Rice ... had seven double-figure kill matches, 11 double-figure dig, five double-doubles & one 20+ dig match... started 22 matches (missed two due to a death in the family).
So., MB, Carrie Hartt
Hit career-best .471 (11-3-17) vs. Northern Arizona ... had career-high 14 kills vs. Rice ... set career-high six total blocks vs. Florida State ... played in 16 matches ... off the bench, averaged 1.71 kills per game & 0.88 blocks per game.
Jr., MB, Java Johnson
Finished second on team in total blocks with 98 for a 1.27 block per game average ... had at least one block in every match but three & two blocks in every match but four ... season-high 11 total blocks vs. San Jose State ... season-best 15 kills vs. Boise State & four digs vs. San Jose State and Sacramento State ... had seven double-figure kill matches & one double-double ... Fresno State Invitational all-tournament team.
Sr., MB, Shauna McQuaid
Nationally-ranked in hitting (one week) and blocking (eight weeks) ... led WAC in hitting percentage in six of 11 weeks ... set career-high 25 kills vs. Nevada (fourth 20-kill match on season & sixth in career) ... led teams in hitting (.289), kills (321), kills per game (3.91), block solos (21), block assists (97), total blocks (118) & blocks per game (1.44) ... had season-best streak of 16 consecutive double-figure kill matches, including four 20+ kill matches ... had 10+ kills in every match but three (21 of 24) ... career-high 10 total blocks vs. Arkansas-Little Rock ... career-high 16 digs vs. San Jose State ...fifth Bulldog to tally 300 or more total blocks & fifth to post 300 or more career block assists ... in career, 2001 all-WAC preseason team, first team all-WAC, all-WAC Tournament & Fresno State Invitational all-tournament team ... 2000 Brion's Grille/Patriot and Fresno State Invitational all-tourney ... 1999 USF/Golden Gate Classic MVP ... had at least one total block in 75 of 85 matches ... had 10+ kills in 54 matches, seven 20+ kill matches, five 10+ dig, six double-doubles & one 10+ block match ... finished with 991 career kills to rank No. 9 all-time at Fresno State ... also ranks in six other all-time marks: No. 3 blocks per game (1.13), No. 5 block assists (268), No. 5 total blocks (335), No. 6 hitting percentage (.280), No. 7 kills per game (3.37) and No. 7 block solos (67).
So., OH, Kara Verwey
Set career-high 17 digs vs. UTEP & career-best 26 kills vs. Florida State ... finished second on team in kills (282), kills per game (3.32)& digs (213, 2.51 dpg) ... ... had double-figure kills in every match but eight (16 of 24)... season-best streak of six double-figure kill matches ... in career, has 33 double-figure kill matches, 18 double-figure dig, 17 double-doubles & four 20+kill ... has at least one total block in 36 of 52 matches .... 2001 Fresno State Invitational & Howdy's Pepperdine all-tournament team ... 2001 all-WAC preseason ... 2000 Brion's Grille/Patriot Invite all-tourney ... 2000 all-WAC Freshmen team.
