Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
*Louisiana Tech
Volleyball Sweeps by Louisiana Tech
10/23/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 23, 2003
RUSTON, La. - The Fresno State volleyball team takes to the road like a duck to water and the Bulldogs notched their fifth sweep of the season after recording a 30-22, 30-26 and 30-27 Western Athletic Conference victory over Louisiana Tech.
Improving to 11-3 away from home, Fresno State's serving game neutralized the Lady Techsters offensive game plan as the 'Dogs dished out eight service aces, five coming from sophomore setter Robyn Keune.
Senior middle blocker Carrie Hartt, who was named WAC Player of the Week on Monday, collected a match-high 16 kills to go along with two service aces, four digs and two blocks while hitting .333.
Junior outside hitter Kristen Fenton chipped in 13 kills while junior libero Tina Brennan picked up a team-best 17 digs.
Louisiana Tech was led by Cristine Sant'Anna, who posted a double-double with 12 kills and 16 digs. Heather Anderson led all players with 18 digs.
Fresno State controlled game one from the first serve of the match. The Bulldogs built as much as a 10-point lead at 25-15 and 29-19 before winning the first game, 30-22, on a Lady Techsters' hitting error. Hartt led the 'Dogs' offense with four kills while adding two blocks. Sant'Anna was perfect from the floor after hitting .313 (5-0-16) with seven digs and a block.
With six early ties to start game two off, Fresno State also overcame some early deficits. Trailing 8-9, Keune would go on to serve the next four points, three of which came on aces, as the Bulldogs took a 12-9 lead. Up 13-10, Fenton took over at the serving line as well by stringing four points together as well for a 16-10 lead. However, with the Bulldogs up 17-12, La Tech went on a 9-4 run to tie the game at 21. A Fenton kill put the 'Dogs up 22-21 and Fresno State did not allow the Lady Techsters to force another tie as the Bulldogs posted a 30-26 win.
In game three, Louisiana Tech stayed tough against the Bulldogs as 12 ties took place. With the game tied at 17 all, the Lady Techsters recorded a trio of two point leads (19-17, 20-18 and 21-19). The Bulldogs and Louisiana Tech exchanged the next nine points and tied again at 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25. Fresno State took advantage of two hitting errors for a 27-25 lead before a Hartt service aces gave the 'Dogs a three point lead at 28-25 - their largest lead since 14-11. Fresno State sealed the 30-27 win on a kill by senior outside hitter Stefanie Taelman.
"We knew we had to serve well to take La Tech out of its offensive game," Fresno State volleyball head coach Lindy Vivas said. "I thought we accomplished that goal, especially by the serving game of Robyn (Keune).
"Louisiana Tech has several solid hitters who can get a lot of kills if they can get the ball. Our tough serving prevented that for much of the night.
"Carrie (Hartt) came ready to play and she anchored our attack and picked up points for us at critical times.
"I especially liked Tina (Brennan's) defense. She had a tremendous defensive effort. She dug some hard balls out of the ground and kept the rally going so that we could win the point.
"Andrea (Thrower) and La'akea (Campbell) came in and did a nice job for us. They brought a lot of energy to the court in the middle and the outside.
"It was nice to pick up a sweep on the road. We'll have to re-focus and put together an excellent team effort against a very good SMU squad on Saturday."
Fresno State (17-4, 7-1 WAC) continues WAC play when it travels to SMU on Saturday for a 2:00 p.m. (PDT) match.
