Fresno State Athletics
Volleyball Keeps Focused
11/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 19, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. - The 2002 Fresno State volleyball team has made its own niche.
Jetting out to the program's best start and setting records along the way, the Bulldogs have knocked out their ninth 20-win season overall and seventh under 12th-year head coach Lindy Vivas.
Vivas, who coached her 500th career match against Boise State on Nov. 7, has directed the volleyball program to national recognition this season as the Bulldogs have received votes in the USA Today/AVCA Top 25 poll since mid-September. Ranking weekly among the nation's best in the NCAA stats, she also has had individuals receive national attention with five all-Western Athletic Conference picks as well as directing the program to a Top Five national ranking in the West Region.
With a trio of six-match win streaks to its credit, Fresno State opened the season at 4-0 in August, went 9-2 in September and posted a 5-2 mark in October while owning a 4-1 start in November. With two tournament titles, a runner-up finish and a quadrangular crown this season and national attention via votes in the USA Today/AVCA Top 25 Poll for the last nine weeks, the Bulldogs also enjoyed home success. Tying the school record for most home wins (11) and consecutive conference wins (6), the Bulldogs wrapped up home court play with a 21-4 record dating back to last season.
Owning an all-time North Gym home court record of 126-83 (.604) since 1987, the Bulldogs have gone 104-49 (.682) under Vivas, who picked up her third Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors on Nov. 19.
Fresno State, which qualified for its fifth consecutive Western Athletic Conference Volleyball Championship, is knocking on the NCAA's Tournament door. Reaching as high as No. 28 in the national poll, the 'Dogs are eyeing their fourth overall NCAA bid and third under Vivas, who is approaching the 300-career win plateau.
Through true team efforts, the Bulldogs have relied on the talents of a mostly young-laden squad that posted a 12-2 non-conference worksheet and an 11-3 road mark.
First and second-year starters have paved the way. Led by senior middle blocker Java Johnson, the Bulldogs' chemistry has resulted in a winning rhythm.
Ms. Consistency, Johnson has made an impact as a two-year player at Fresno State and garnered First Team All-WAC honors in 2002. Already becoming the ninth player in school history to tally 200 or more career block assists, the 2002 preseason all-WAC selection has hit at least .300 every month while leading the 'Dogs in blocks and ranking second in kills.
Senior outside hitter Christy Burnett, the only four-year starter for Fresno State who captured Second Team All-WAC honors this season, is closing out a stellar career. As the 13th Bulldog to record 900 or more career kills, she also became the fifth player to tally 1,000 career digs. The 2002 preseason all-WAC pick is a two-time all-tournament pick and MVP who will look to rank among the school's career Top 10 in kills, digs and total attempts.
A first-year starter, junior middle blocker Carrie Hartt has complimented Johnson in the middle. Racking up more than 100 blocks on the season, Hartt set a North Gym record in block assists (11) this season and has been a two-time all-tournament pick, including one MVP honor. The 2002 First Team All-WAC honoree became the ninth Bulldog to post 100 block assists on the year and enters the WAC Volleyball Championship Tournament with 104.
Sophomore setter Whitney Arena, who is in her second year directing the Bulldogs' offense and garnered her second straight all-WAC accolade, cracked the school's career Top 10 in assists as a rookie and is approaching the 2,000 career assists plateau. Needing just 27 assists entering the WAC tournament, Arena would be just the seventh setter in school history to amass 2,000 or more career assists.
Sophomore outside hitter Kristen Fenton has been pounding the ball this season and was recognized so by capturing First Team All-WAC honors this season. Recording her first two 20-kill matches this fall, she already has posted a career year in every statistical category. Leading the team in kills, the WAC Player of the Week honoree has more than 300 kills while hitting .300 as she ranks among the conference's best in hitting, kills per game and aces per game.
Defensively, senior Heather Farr and sophomore Tina Brennan have shared time both as the defensive specialist and libero. With each approaching 300 digs on the year, Farr and Brennan are two of the team's top three diggers.
Fresno State, which notched back-to-back 10- win seasons at home for the first time in the program's history and jumped out to the second-best start in conference play at 9-2, raced out to the program's best start when the Bulldogs opened the year at 16-2. With a 22-5 overall record, the 'Dogs are looking to keep knocking on the door for respectability with an invitation to the NCAA Tournament.
The first order of business, however, will be the 2002 WAC Volleyball Championship Tournament in which Fresno State enters the tourney as the No. 2 seed. The Bulldogs will meet No. 7 seed SMU in the tourney opener and will have to get past either Nevada or UTEP before realizing their dream of a championship match up with second-ranked and top seed Hawai'i on Sunday, Nov. 24.
The final month of the season remains unwritten but the Bulldogs, if they have it their way, see no limit in exploring new paths and establishing their own trail.
