Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
*Boise State
Volleyball Sweeps Past Boise State
11/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 15, 2003
BOISE, Idaho - The Fresno State volleyball team wrapped up regular-season and Western Athletic Conference play with a three-game sweep over Boise State in Boise, Idaho this evening.
The Bulldogs notched their seventh three-game sweep of the year while collecting their seventh 10-win conference season overall, six of which have come under 13th-year head coach Lindy Vivas.
Pushing its record to 9-0 all-time against Boise State, Fresno State won every statistical category against the Broncos while improving to 12-4 away from home. Hitting .248 in the match to their .064, the Bulldogs outdug (50-33) and outblocked (7-2) Boise State.
Senior middle blocker Carrie Hartt (12 kills) and junior outside hitter Kristen Fenton (12 kills) paced the Bulldogs' offensive attack. With both hitting above .300 in the match, Hartt also had three blocks and five digs while Fenton picked up six digs and a block.
Junior libero Tina Brennan tallied a match-high 13 digs while freshman outside hitter Tuli Peters picked up 11 digs. Sophomore setter Robyn Keune picked up a career-best nine kills and hit .900 (9-0-10) against the Broncos while collecting 35 assists, three digs and a block.
Boise State (6-23, 1-12 WAC) was led by Kelsey Young, who had 10 kills. Cameron Flunder and Christina Moore each had nine kills while Megan Tranter had a team-high seven digs.
In game one, Fresno State and Boise State exchanged leads up until 8-8. The Bulldogs took the lead on a Peters kill and never looked back in the 30-18 win. Closing out the game with a 22-10 run, Hartt and Fenton each had five kills while Peters totaled eight digs. Moore led the way with five kills for Boise State.
In game two, Fresno State opened with a five point deficit as the Broncos went out to a 6-1 lead. After a time out the Bulldogs went on a 6-1 run and tied the game at seven on a block by Hartt and senior outside hitter Stefanie Taelman. Taking the lead at 8-7 on a service ace by freshman outside hitter Alison Pitton, the Broncos fought back and tied the game at 15 all as unforced errors played havoc on both sides. With the game tied at 16 and 18 all, Fresno State took a 19-18 lead on a Bronco hitting error before they rebounded back with a 4-3 run to tie the game at 22. A service error by Boise State put the Bulldogs up 23-22. Never relinquishing the lead and closing out the game with a 7-4 run, senior outside hitter Taelman put down a kill for the final point in the 30-26 win. Hartt, Fenton and Keune each had three kills for the Bulldogs. Young led BSU with four.
Hitting .400 as a team in game three, Fresno State committed just five errors to 21 kills in 40 attempts. The Bulldogs jetted out to an 11-7 lead before BSU rallied back with a 4-0 run to tie the game at 11. With Hartt giving the 'Dogs the lead at 12-11 with a kill, Fresno State did not allow Boise State to get closer than two points and took control of the game at 24-18 on a Keune kill. Hartt closed out match point with a kill in the 30-23 victory. Hartt (five), Keune (four) and Fenton (four) combined for 13 kills and hit .522 (13-1-23) between them. With Keune tallying 16 assists in the final set, Brennan notched five digs. Young paced Boise State with five kills.
"This was a nice way to close out the regular-season," said Vivas, who recorded her 320th career win this evening. "We got 10 players into the match, gained some more experience while working hard on tightening certain aspects of our game.
"I think Robyn did a nice job of not only setting the ball evenly but also her eye for the opponent's court was right on target. We had some great defensive plays by Tina and Tuli. By serving tough and winning the point on long rallies, we were able to disrupt their rhythm.
"Next week we'll take another look on how we can keep improving and getting better. It's a whole new season the next few weeks so we'll need to continue our hard work and focus on how to succeed further."
Now going 20-6 the last two seasons in WAC play and posting back-to-back 10-win league seasons for the second time in school history, Fresno State closed out the regular-season by winning nine of their last 12 after opening the year at 12-3.
Fresno State (21-6, 10- WAC) will enter the WAC Volleyball Championship Tournament next weekend at the Virginia Street Gym in Reno, Nev., as the No. 3 seed. The Bulldogs will play the No. 6 seed, which is likely San Jose State, on Fri., Nov. 21 (time is TBA). Fresno State is one of just three teams to have qualified for all six WAC Volleyball Tournament.
