Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Nevada (WAC VB Championship)
Volleyball Bows Out in WAC Tournament Semifinals
11/23/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 23, 2002
RENO, Nev. - The Fresno State volleyball team clawed, scratched and won the ever so important statistical categories in kills, digs, blocks and hitting percentage but the door was edged open just enough for No. 3 seed and tournament host Nevada to spoil the Bulldogs bid for a championship appearance in the Western Athletic Conference Volleyball Championship Tournament.
Fresno State dropped a tough four-game decision to the Wolf Pack (30-18, 28-30, 24-30, 38-40) and Nevada snagged the right to face top seed and second-ranked Hawai'i in the championship match at 1:00 pm.
The win by Nevada has yielded the spoils of home court advantage for the tournament host. For the second straight year, the host school has advanced to the WAC championship match.
In the match, the Bulldogs won every statistical category but mental errors and allowing Nevada to string together points on unforced errors proved that statistics didn't matter this evening as Fresno State advanced to the WAC semifinals for the second straight year.
Sophomore outside hitter Kristen Fenton picked up her third career 20-kill match as she led all players in kills with 24. Hitting .392 (24-4-51), she also had 12 digs and five assists.
Junior middle blocker Carrie Hartt also had a double-double with 14 kills and a match-high 11 blocks. Senior outside hitter Christy Burnett tallied a double-double as well after collecting 13 kills and 13 digs. Senior middle blocker Java Johnson was the fourth Bulldog to collect double-figure kills with 13 while adding three blocks. Junior outside hitter Taneisha Tilque had six kills and six blocks while sophomore libero Tina Brennan tied for match-high honors in digs (18).
Nevada (21-7) was led by Laura Wooley (21 kills, 16 digs), Salia Salavea (15 kills, four blocks) and Christine Harms (13 kills, 18 digs).
"We played hard and tough but allowed Nevada to stay in the match," said head coach Lindy Vivas, who was looking to post her 300th career win. "It's tough to accept a loss when you, statistically, should have won the match.
"We had too many mental errors and that handed a lot of points to Nevada on unforced errors. Nevada is a very solid team and you can not allow a squad like that any edge.
"We're hoping that our season will be recognized by the NCAA Tournament committee."
The Bulldogs will have a bye week next week as they hope to advance to the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA pairings annoucement will take place on Sunday, Dec. 1, 9:00 (EST).
