Fresno State Athletics
Volleyball Idle
11/24/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 24, 2003
FRESNO, Calif. -
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Bulldogs Idle
The Fresno State volleyball team is idle this week. The Bulldogs, who were the No. 3 seed, are coming off a five-game first round loss to No. 6 seed San Jose State at the 2003 Western Athletic Conference Volleyball Tournament last weekend in Reno, Nev. The Spartans advanced all the way to the championship match against No. 1 seed Hawai'i after disposing of No. 2 seed SMU in the semifinals.
NCAA Pairings Announcement
The NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship 64-team bracket will be announced on ESPNews at approximately 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (7:00 p.m. Central, 6:00 p.m. Mountain and 5:00 p.m. Pacific) on Sun., Nov. 30. ESPNews can be found on DirecTV (ch. 207) and on Dish Network (ch. 142). In addition, some cable systems do carry the ESPNews signal. Immediately following the ESPNews announcement, the full bracket can be found on www.ncaasports.com. The Bulldogs are vying for an unprecedented second straight NCAA Tournament appearance as well as the program's fifth NCAA postseason bid overall. Under 13th-year head coach Lindy Vivas, the 'Dogs have made six postseason showings with three invitations to the NIVC (1995, '94 and '92) and to the NCAA's (2002, '98 and '91).
WAC Tournament in Review
With Fresno State, Hawai'i and San Jose State as the only three schools to have qualified for all six WAC Volleyball Tournaments, the Spartans have the sole distinction of being the lowest seed to advance to the WAC championship match. San Jose State, which upset the Bulldogs in five and No. 2 seed SMU in four, last played in the WAC finale in 2001 and lost to top seed Hawai'i in three. The Spartans have been in the conference semifinals the past four years. Last weekend, the Rainbow Wahine swept through WAC Tournament action after recording sweeps over No. 8 seed Tulsa, No. 4 seed Nevada and No. 6 seed San Jose State. Second-ranked Hawai'i also collected its third straight and fourth WAC Tournament title overall and the league's NCAA automatic bid.
All-WAC Tournament Team
Junior outside hitter Kristen Fenton (Marysville, Mich.) was named to her second straight WAC all-tournament team. Pounding out a match-high 35 kills to go along with 14 digs, two assists, four service aces and four blocks, Fenton tallied her 28th consecutive double-figure kill match, third 30+ kill performance and 15th double-double of the season. Joining her on the 11-member team was outside hitter Kim Willoughby (Hawai'i), setter Allison Dillion (San Jose State), setter Kanoe Kamana'o (Hawai'i), middle blocker Salaia Salave'a (Nevada), outside hitter Beth Karasek (SMU), middle blocker Lauren Duggins (Hawai'i), setter Jessica Mihm (SMU), libero Carrie Nash (San Jose State), outside hitter Kimberly Noble (San Jose State) and outside hitter and tournament MVP Lily Kahumoku (Hawai'i).
Head Coach Lindy Vivas
In her 13th season as head coach of the Bulldog volleyball program, Lindy Vivas (UCLA, 1980) collected her 300th career win in the season opener against New Mexico on Aug. 29. Recording the program's 200th overall league victory versus Nevada on Oct. 11, Vivas has been a three-time WAC Coach of the Year selection. Vivas has led the Bulldog volleyball program to eight 20-win seasons while advancing to postseason play six times. With three NCAA Tournament appearances, including two in the last five years, her 2002 squad established the school's best win percentage (.767, 23-7) while advancing to the WAC Tournament Semis for two of the last three seasons. Averaging 19 wins a year, Vivas owns a 13-year record of 248-154 (.617) at Fresno State and a 17-year career mark of 320-214 (.599). The Bulldogs, who are 113-51 (.689) at home under Vivas, have gone 30-6 (.833) in the North Gym the past three seasons. Vivas has coached eight AVCA all-region/all-district winners and 28 all-WAC picks (31 overall). Leading the 'Dogs to all six WAC Volleyball Tournaments (1996-98, 2001-03), she directed the program to its best start (16-2) and third-most wins (23) in 2002. Opening the 2003 season at No. 44, Vivas has directed the program to four of its five preseason listings.
Week 13 in Review: 'Dogs Fall in First Round of WAC Tourney
Fresno State lost in five-games to San Jose State at the 2003 WAC Volleyball Tournament ... The 'Dogs dropped the first two games before winning the following two and falling 16-14 in the final set to the Spartans ...The five-game match was the Bulldogs' sixth of the year and they are 2-4 in five-game decisions this fall ... Fenton was named to her second straight all-WAC volleyball tournament team after totaling a match-high 35 kills versus SJSU ... She also notched a double-double (35 kills, 14 digs) to go along with a season-best four aces and four blocks ... In addition, sophomore middle blocker Andrea Thrower (Downey, Calif.) collected a season-, match- and career-best nine block assists and 11 total blocks ... Fresno State is 11-4 versus non-conference opponents this season and is 24-8 against non-conference foes the past two seasons ... The Bulldogs have gone 20-7 in WAC play the last two seasons while finishing second in the WAC's Western Division for the second straight year ... The Bulldogs have posted back-to-back 10-win league seasons for the second time in school history while their final WAC mark of 10-3, for the second straight season, is the program's seventh 10-win conference season overall ... Fresno State closed out the regular-season by winning nine of the last 13 after opening the year at 12-3 ... Against their West Region opponents, the Bulldogs are 15-5 as they own wins over Cal Poly, CS Northridge, UC Riverside, Northern Arizona, Rice, Tulsa, San Jose State (twice), Nevada (twice), Boise State (twice) and UTEP while dropping five-game matches to No. 19 Long Beach State, SMU and San Jose State and losing in three to No. 2 Hawai'i (twice) ... At 21-7, Fresno State has won at least 21 of its first 28 matches for the third time in school history and has done so for the second consecutive year (23-5 in '02 and 21-7 in '84) ... In the years that Fresno State advanced to the NCAA's, the 1991 team went 19-9 and the '98 squad went 18-10 in its first 28 before last year's team went 23-5; the 1984 team opened at 21-7 ... Of the teams that captured NCAA bids, three had 20-win seasons and had played at least 30 matches (1984, '91 and 2002) ... In the years that Fresno State won 10 of its first 13 matches, six Bulldog teams went on to post 20-win campaigns (1991, '95, '96, '97, '98 and 2002) ... Of those six, four went on to postseason play (1991, '98 and 2002 at NCAA's; 1995 at National Invitational Volleyball Championship).
Volleyball Awards Banquet
Fresno State will conduct its annual volleyball awards banquet on Sun., Dec. 14, 12:00 p.m., at TorNino's. Tickets are $25.00 and reservations may be made by phoning (559) 278-6833.
2003 All-WAC Teams Announced
The Western Athletic Conference announced its 2003 volleyball all-league selections on Nov. 18 and Fresno State was well represented with four picks, including two first team honorees. Senior middle blocker Carrie Hartt (Manteca, Calif.) and Fenton were named to their second straight First Team All-WAC team while junior middle blocker Tiffany Bishop (St. Anne, Ill.) and sophomore setter Robyn Keune (Ventura, Calif.) were selected second team. This marks the fourth time in the history of the Bulldog volleyball program in which at least four all-conference selections were honored in the same season as well as it being the third time under Vivas in which at least four 'Dogs were honored.
In the NCAA Statistics
In the 11th release of the NCAA Division I volleyball statistics (Nov. 16), Fenton was listed in kills per game for the 11th straight week as she tied for 22nd (533, 5.13 kpg). In the Oct. 12 release of the national statistics, Keune made her third showing and was ranked 29th in assists per game (894, 12.77) while the team appeared for the second time in assists per game overall (No. 30, 14.76 apg). Fresno State appeared for the second straight week in blocks per game with a No. 24 showing (414, 2.89 bpg) for the second consecutive week. In the first release of the national statistics, the Bulldogs ranked No. 22 in assists per game (15.14 apg) and tied for No. 24 in W/L (6-1, .857). Fenton appeared at No. 26 in kills per game (145, 5.18 kpg) while Keune was tied for No. 22 in assists per game (366, 13.07 apg).
Look at 40
Fenton made history two weeks ago when she recorded her first career 40-plus kill match. With 41 notched against CS Northridge on Nov. 12, she tied the national mark for most kills collected this fall, became just the fifth player in the country to post a 40-kill match this season and became just the ninth player overall in Division I history to total at least 40 kills since rally scoring was introduced in 2001 at that point in time. Against CS Northridge, Fenton collected a match-high 41 kills and hit .323 (41-10-96) with two assists, 14 digs and three blocks. The 41 kills was a new rally scoring school record for a five-game match as well as a breaking a 12-year old school record and North Gym record (old mark was 36 by Paola Paz-Soldan, 36 vs. New Mexico, Sept. 5, 1991). Since Fenton's mark was established, there now are seven Division I players to have reached the 40-kill plateau this fall since Nov. 16. Appearing in all 11 weeks of the NCAA stats in kills per game, Fenton leads the team in kills (568), kills per game (5.21) and hitting (.314) while third in blocks (72, 0.66) and digs (291, 2.67). In addition, she is the first Bulldog to receive the WAC Player of the Week award three times in a season and the first Bulldog to be a four-time recipient.
Making an All-American Case
Fresno State has had only one All-American in school history and that individual is current assistant coach Ruth Lawanson. Named to the 2002 AVCA All-West Region team, Fenton is putting up strong numbers this season. Already tallying more than 550 kills and currently averaging 5.21 kills per game, she has appeared in all 11 weeks of the NCAA Division I statistics in kills per game and currently is tied for 22nd (5.13 kpg, Nov. 16). One of four players in the WAC averaging at least 5.00 kills per game in overall play, Fenton has been a four-time all-tournament pick this fall, including two MVP honors. As the Bulldogs' top kill leader in 22 of 28 matches and hitting better than .300 all season, she has had 20 or more kills in 15 matches, including her first career 30-kill match with 31 against then No. 19 Long Beach State (she is the first Bulldog in four years to tally a 30-kill performance) and her second versus San Jose State at the WAC Tournament on Nov. 21. In addition, Fenton notched her first 40-kill match with 41 versus CS Northridge (first Bulldog to reach 40-kill plateau). The three-time WAC Player of the Week has already set five school rally-scoring records this season. She owns the record for most kills in three (22 vs. Tulsa) and five (41 vs. CS Northridge) games. Fenton holds the record for most total attempts in four (63 vs. Nevada) and five (96 vs. CS Northridge) games. She also holds the mark for hitting percentage in a four-game match, 15-19 attempts (.667, 13-1-18 vs. New Mexico). Fenton repeated as a First Team All-WAC selection this fall as well as being named to her second straight all-WAC Volleyball Tournament team last week.
Second Fastest Bulldog to Reach 1,000-Career Kill Mark
With a current career total of 1,125 kills, Fenton became the second-fastest Bulldog to reach the historic 1,000-career kill milestone after picking up 13 at home against Nevada on Nov. 1. She is averaging 3.87 kills per game (291 games/80 matches) in her career - a mark that currently ranks No. 2 all-time at Fresno State. While currently hitting at a career mark of .287 (No. 6 all-time), Fenton is one of eight players in school history to hit at least .300 in a season (last year she finished at .301 to rank No. 6). In addition, with 568 kills to date, she became the seventh Bulldog to post a 500-kill season when she posted 41 kills against CS Northridge on Nov. 12. With a streak of 44 consecutive double-figure kill matches dating back to last season (829 kills in 169 games for a 4.91 kill per game average), Fenton is averaging 20.29 kills per match (5.21 kpg) this fall. With 568 kills collected in 28 matches (recorded 403 in 29 matches a year ago), she broke into the school's Top 10 list single-season kills list and ranks No. 3 for most kills in a season. In addition, Fenton's current 5.21 kill per game average is the second-best single-season mark at Fresno State while her .314 hitting percentage is fifth-best.
Hartts on Fire
Hartt, who garnered her first career WAC Player of the Week honors this fall and repeated as a First Team All-WAC selection, has led the Bulldogs in kills in five of the last eight matches. After collecting her second 20-kill match and third of her career with a career-high 24 kills versus SMU on Oct. 25, she has a season-best eight match double-figure kill streak in which she averaged 16.88 kills a match (4.35 kpg) while hitting .320 (135-42-291) with 14 aces (0.45 sapg) and 51 total blocks (13 block solos, 38 block assists, 1.65 bpg) in 31 games. With three total blocks picked up last weekend, Hartt ranks No. 4 in career blocks per game (1.14), No. 6 in block assists (242) and total blocks (309) and No. 7 in block solos (67). In her last 14 matches, Hartt is averaging 13.86 kills per match and 3.66 kills per game while hitting .298 (194-63-440) with team-highs of 18 service aces (0.34 sapg) and 71 total blocks (1.34 bpg) in 53 games played. At the net and dating back to last season, she has tallied 221 blocks in the last 46 matches for a 4.80 block per match average and a 1.30 block per game mark in 170 games. Posting back-to-back 100-block seasons, Hartt leads the Bulldogs this fall in total blocks (118), block assists (89) and block solos (29) while second in blocks per game (1.16), kills (360), kills per game (3.53), service aces (32, 0.31 sapg), points scored (465.0) and hitting (.286).
Keune Cracks Top 10 Assist List
Keune was pushed into a starting role this season after joining the Bulldogs as a walk on last fall. With the loss of AVCA All-West Region Honorable Mention setter Whitney Arena, Keune has run the 'Dogs offense without skipping a beat. With the Bulldogs hitting .250 on the year, Keune has totaled 1,345 assists for a 12.65 assist per game average, marks that ranks third- and second-best, respectively, in Fresno State single-season history. Nationally-ranked three times in assists per game this fall, her latest ranking was No. 29 (12.77 apg, Oct. 12). Keune became the seventh Bulldog setter to record at least a 1,000-assist season when she dished out 43 against Louisiana Tech on Oct. 23. She broke into the school's Top 10 single-season list when she tallied 51 assists versus San Jose State on Nov. 6. Named all-tournament at the Sacramento State Invitational, she also has set the school's rally scoring record for assists in a four-game match (73 vs. San Jose State, Oct.4) and in a five-game match (75 vs. CS Northridge, Nov. 12. Keune already ranks No. 4 in career assists per game (11.57 in 137 games) and No. 8 in career assists (1,585) as a Bulldog.
No Love for the Libero
While offense gets all the attention what about that defensive game-saving play? For junior libero Tina Brennan (Woodinville, Wash.), who has played through foot trouble the last two seasons, defense is her forte and her presence in the Bulldogs' line up is uncontested. Posting back-to-back 300-plus dig seasons, Brennan became just the fourth Bulldog to tally a 400-dig year when she picked up a career-, match- and rally scoring-high 29 digs against San Jose State on Nov. 21. Currently ranked No. 8 for digs per game (3.67) and No. 9 for most digs in a season (400), she already has set the school's rally scoring record for digs in three games, twice (17 vs. Louisiana Tech, 10/23; vs. #2 Hawai'i, 11/9) this fall. Brennan has a current 10-match double-figure dig streak and is averaging 17.90 digs per match and 4.60 digs per game (179 digs in 39 games). She also has collected 10+ dig matches in 13 of her last 15 matches and is averaging 15.80 digs per match and 4.16 digs per game (237 digs in 57 games). Posting her sixth 20-dig match of the season (ninth of her career) versus SJSU, Brennan has 882 career digs and is 118 digs shy of being the sixth Bulldog to notch 1,000 career digs and 27 shy of ranking No. 10 all-time at Fresno State.
Brennan Named Academic All-District VIII
Brennan was named to her first Academic All-District VIII Team when she was selected first team, as voted by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), last week. Majoring in liberal studies with a cumulative 4.0 GPA, Brennan has been an integral part of the Bulldogs' defense since her arrival in 2001. This season she has started all 29 matches at the libero position and leads the team in digs (400) and digs per game (3.67). The four-time President's List (4.0) and Dean's List honoree has established back-to-back 300-dig seasons as well as her first 400-dig season. In addition, the WAC Scholar-Athlete and WAC Freshman All-Academic (2001) has helped Fresno State receive votes in seven of the 13 USA Today/AVCA Coaches Top 25 Poll this season. Brennan has been forwarded onto the national ballot for a chance to be the school's first volleyball Academic All-American.
Making A Contribution
Freshman outside hitter Tuli Peters (Laie, Hawaii) has made significant contributions as a freshman. In the first week of league play with a 6.00 dig per game average, she posted a career-high 30 versus San Jose State on Oct. 4. The last Bulldog to tally a 30-dig match was Tricia Tuley, who had 31 vs. Sacramento State on Sept. 14, 1996. Collecting her first 30+ dig match of her career against San Jose State on Oct. 4, Peters picked up her third 20-plus dig match against Nevada (22) a week later. She, along with Fenton, are the only two 'Dogs to have at least 200 kills and digs on the year. In overall action, she is second on the team in digs (348, 3.25 dpg) and third in kills (281, 2.63 kpg), service aces (28, 0.26 sapg) and points scored (342.5) while fifth in blocks (53, 0.50 bpg).
'Dogs Receive National Votes
The Bulldogs have received votes in seven of the 13 USA Today/AVCA Coaches Top 25 polls. Receiving votes in five of the last nine weeks, the 'Dogs picked up six votes on Nov. 17 for a No. 37 showing. This season, Fresno State has received as many as 16 votes (Oct. 13) and has appeared as high as 35th, twice (Oct. 6 & 13).
Rally-Scoring Records Set
With 12 school rally-scoring records set and/or tied, Fenton has established five new single-season rally-scoring school records this season, Keune owns the mark for most assists in a four-game match (73 vs. San Jose State, Oct. 4) and in a five-game match (75 vs. CS Northridge, Nov. 12) while tying the mark for service aces in three games (5 vs. Louisiana Tech). Peters owns the record for most digs in a four-game match (30 vs. San Jose State, Oct. 4). Brennan tied the school's rally-scoring match record for digs in three games, twice, and broke her own record for digs in a five-game set (29 vs. San Jose State, Nov. 21).
About the Losses
Of Fresno State's seven losses on the year, four have come by teams which were either ranked or became ranked right after the Bulldogs played them. With three Top 25 losses to No. 19 Long Beach State (3-2) and No. 2 Hawai'i (3-0 & 3-0), the 'Dogs also dropped a four-game match to the University of San Diego, which jumped into the Top 25 the very next week at No. 21. The three non-ranked losses were a trio of five-game set backs to Idaho State and SMU in the regular-season and San Jose State, which played in the championship match, at the WAC Tournament.
'Dogs Set New Attendance Record
The Fresno State volleyball team got a bigger stage when the Bulldogs hosted 2002 National Semifinalist and second-ranked Hawai'i at the Save Mart Center (16,116) yesterday afternoon. Being the first true athletic competition in the Save Mart Center, the Bulldogs drew 4,708 fans for a new school volleyball record -- shattering the previous mark of 1,982 versus UH on Nov. 23 1996 at the North Gym. At that point in time, the attendance was the 27th-best attended NCAA Division I volleyball match in the nation this fall. In addition to drawing its second 1,000-plus match of the year, the volleyball program has totaled 19 one-grand crowds, 18 of which have come under Vivas. This season, the Bulldogs drew 11,344 fans in 11 home dates for a 1,031 average -- a mark that currently ranks 29th-best in the nation.
The Schedule
Opening the year by playing 10 of its first 13 matches on the road, Fresno State has played 17 away to 11 home. In the first three months alone the Bulldogs played 15 road matches. Compared to 2002, the Bulldogs' schedule featured 17 road games to 13 at home. In the last two years combined, the Bulldogs have played 10 more road contests (34-24). Since 2000, Fresno State has played 61 road games to just 51 home dates. Being a road warrior proved favorable for the 'Dogs in 2002 as they went 12-5 and qualified for the NCAA Tournament; this season the Bulldogs are also 12-5 on the road and looking for its second straight trip and fifth overall to the NCAA's.
Have You Noticed?
While the Western Athletic Conference has traditionally led the nation in volleyball attendance over the past 10 years, the Fresno State volleyball team is doing its part by making sure the WAC leads once again in 2003. Finishing No. 50 in average attendance (603) a year ago, the Bulldogs are currently ranked 29th in the nation with a 1,031 average. With 99,968 fans coming through gates since Vivas arrived in 1991, the 'Dogs are enjoying their second-best two-year average of 799 (19,186 fans in 24 dates). In 1997-96, Fresno State averaged a two-year high of 884 (22,104 fans in 27 dates). In 1999-98, Fresno State averaged 565 fans for a total of 12,988 in 23 home matches for the third-highest two-year average. The 11,344 fans drawn in 11 home dates for 2003 is the second-most in the program's history -- just behind the 1996 mark of 12,958 (13 home matches). In the WAC, the Bulldogs drew the second-largest total attendance and average attendance as Hawai'i led all league schools, and currently the nation, with `40,144 fans in 19 matches for a 7,376 average.
Quick Sets
- Fresno State is 6-5 in day matches and 15-2 in evening matches
- Fresno State is 12-1 when Bishop posts/shares team-high lead in blocks per match
- Fresno State is 5-3 when Keune dishes out 60+ assists and 10-3 with 50+ assists
- Fresno State is 9-2 when Peters posts/shares team-high lead in digs per match
- Fresno State is 9-4 when Brennan posts/shares team-high lead in digs per match
- Fresno State is 17-6 when Fenton leads the team in kills per match
- Fresno State is 5-1 when Hartt leads/shares team-high lead in kills per match
- Fresno State has hit .400 or better once (.479 vs. New Mexico) & is 1-0
- Fresno State has hit .300 or better seven times & is 7-0
- Fresno State has held its opponent below .200 16 times & is 15-1 in those matches
- Fresno State totaled 11,344 fans in 11 matches for a 1,031 match average
- Fresno State is 44-14 overall the last two years combined
- Fresno State is 30-6 in its last three years at home
- Fresno State is 16-4 overall in WAC play in its last three years at home
- Fresno State is 14-2 in non-conference play in its last three years at home
- Including preseason polls, Fresno State has received votes in the USA Today/AVCA Top 25 poll in 18 of the last 31 weeks dating back to last season
Home Success
The Bulldogs have enjoyed success in the North and South Gyms over the years and own an all-time home record of 179-119 (.601) since 1978; the Bulldogs are 135-84 (.616) since 1987 in the North Gym and 0-1 at the Save Mart Center. The 'Dogs went 10-2 at home in 2001 and shattered the school record for consecutive wins (9). Last season the 'Dogs went 11-2 at home, tied the school record for most home victories (11), had the first back-to-back 10-win home campaigns, tied its own record for consecutive wins (9) and tied the school record for consecutive conference home wins (6). Also tying its record for consecutive conference home wins this year, Fresno State is 113-51 (.689) overall and 30-6 (.833) at home, dating back to last season, under Vivas.
Fresno State Gets Preseason Props
The Bulldogs picked up preseason recognition in August when they were voted among the nation's Top 50 by coaches from around the country to kick off the 2003 season. They received the 44th most points (seven votes) in the poll while appearing on two or more ballots in the USA Today/AVCA Division I Coaches Top 25 Preseason Poll (Aug. 11). This is the first time since 1996 for the Bulldogs to receive preseason recognition and the sixth time overall. Fresno State appeared in the preseason Top 25 in 1995 (No. 25) and 1991 (No. 21) and received votes in 1996 (2), 1993 (25+) and 1985 (10+).
2002 In Review: 'Dogs Wrap Up Year at NCAA's
The Fresno State volleyball team made its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in 2002 after traveling to seventh-ranked UC Santa Barbara. Fresno State lost to the Gauchos in four games (30-20, 28-30, 30-21, 30-26). Seeded No. 8 out of 16 seeded teams in the country, UC Santa Barbara ended up winning the West Region. Fresno State ended its season with a final 23-7 overall record after making its third NCAA appearance under Vivas. The Bulldogs have been to the NCAA's twice in the last five years under Vivas with four NCAA showings overall in the 38-year history of the program (1984, 1991, 1998 and 2002). Fresno State broke the school record for best hitting percentage (.251) and posted its best win-lost percentage in school history (.767, 23-7). Behind Hawai'i's 34 wins, the Bulldogs had the second-highest number of wins (23) and was one of four teams in the WAC to post 20 or more victories.
What a Season
Coming off a 23-7 season, the Bulldogs posted the best win percentage in school history (.767) as well as setting/tying 18 school records. The 'Dogs finished second (10-3) in the WAC and advanced to the conference championship semifinals for the second straight year. Fresno State also made its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance while posting its ninth 20-win season in school history. Boasting three AVCA All-West Region and five all-WAC selections, Fresno State received votes in the USA Today/AVCA Coaches Top 25 poll in 11 of the final 13 weeks of the season. Reaching as high as No. 28 in the national poll, the 'Dogs were ranked among the nation's best as individuals and/or team in hitting efficiency, service aces per game, kills per game, digs per game, blocks per game and win/lost percentage in 2002.
2003 Bulldog Volleyball Capsules
Jr., MB, Tiffany Bishop
Bulldog debut vs. New Mexico ... leads team in blocks per game (1.24), second in total blocks (110) while fourth in kills (210, 2.36 kpg) ... recorded first double-double on year vs. Northern Arizona (18 kills, 10 digs) ... has season-high 20 kills vs. Rice ... La Quinta Inn/NAU Invitational all-tournament selection ... has 9 10+ kill matches, one 10+ dig, one 20+ kill & one double-double ... has at least one total block in 27 of 28 matches played ... has hit better than .300, 10x; .400 or better, 6x ... has scored at least 20 points in a match, twice ... 2003 Second Team All-WAC.
Jr., L, Tina Brennan
Has 22 double-figure dig matches, including a career-high 29 vs. San Jose State ... has six 20+ dig matches ... leads team in digs (400, 3.67 dpg) ... has 10+ digs in 13 of last 15 for an average of 15.80 digs per match (4.16 dpg, 237 in 57 games) ... has season-best streak of 10 double-figure dig matches & is averaging 17.90 digs a match (4.60 dpg, 179 digs in 39 games) ... is 118 digs shy of 1,000 career digs (looking to be sixth Bulldog to collect 1,000) ... in career, has 47 10-plus dig & eight 20+ dig matches.
Jr., OH, Kristen Fenton
Dating back to last season, has a streak of 44 10+ kill matches & has totaled 829 kills in 169 games (4.91 kpg) for an average of 18.84 kills per match ... 4x all-tournament pick & 2 MVP honors ... has 28 double-figure kill matches, 15 double-figure dig, 15 double-doubles, 15 20+ kill, 3 30+ & 1 40+ kill match on year ... leads team in kills (568), kills per game (5.21), hitting (.314) while third in blocks (72, 0.66) and digs (291, 2.67 dpg) ... hit a career-high .462 (27-3-52) vs. San Jose State ... has at least one total block in every match this fall ... has scored 20 or more points 18x (30 +, 4x; 40+, 2x) ... has hit at least .300 in 16 matches & at least .400 in 8 ... 3x WAC Player of the Week (Sept. 22 & 29; Nov. 17) ... in career, has totaled 59 10+ kill matches, 42 10+ dig matches, 35 double-doubles, 18 20+ kill, 3 30+ kill, 1 40+ kill & one 20+ dig match ... 2002 AVCA All-West Region ... 2x First Team all-WAC ... 2x all-WAC tourney ... 4x WAC Player of the Week ... 2003 preseason all-WAC ... ranks No. 2 in career kills per game (3.87, 1,125 kills in 291 GP), No. 6 in career hit pct. (.287, 1,125-311-2,841), No. 8 in career kills (1,125) & No. 8 in total attempts (2,841) ... ninth Bulldog to post 1,000 career kills (vs. Nevada, 11/1/03).
Sr., MB, Carrie Hartt
Dating back to last season, has totaled 221 blocks in last 46 matches for a 4.80 block per match average in 170 games played (1.30 bpg) ... has 21 double-figure kill, two 20+ kill match, one 10+ dig & 2 double-doubles ... set career-high 24 kills vs. SMU ... set career-best 10 digs vs. UTEP... set career-high 5 service aces vs. Nevada ... has at least one total block in every match ... has hit .300 or better, 13x & better than .400, 3x ... has scored 20 or more points, 9x ... in career, has 38 10+ kill matches, 3 10+ block, 3 20+ kill , one 10+ dig & 5 double-doubles ... 2x First Team all-WAC ... 2002 all-WAC tournament ... 2003 preseason all-WAC ... 2003 WAC Player of the Week (Oct. 20) ... ranks No. 4 in blocks per game (1.14, 309 TB in 270 GP), No. 6 in block assists (242), No. 6 in total blocks (309) & No. 7 in block solos (67) ... in 2002: set second-highest single-season block assist mark (118), third-best mark in blocks per game (1.36) & fifth-most total blocks (141).
So., S, Robyn Keune
Became seventh Bulldog to post 1,000 assists in a season ... averaging 12.65 assists per game (1,379 in 109 GP) ... set a career-high 75 assists vs. CS Northridge ... has career-best five service aces vs. Louisiana Tech ... has 12 10+ digs, 1 20+ dig & 11 double-doubles ... set career-high 21 digs vs. #19 Long Beach State ... has career-high 9 kills & .900 (9-0-10) hit pct. vs. CS Northridge ... named all-tournament at Sacramento State Invitational ... has been ranked 3x in the NCAA stats in assists per game (Sept. 7, 22nd, 13.07 apg; Oct. 5, 25th, 12.82 apg; Oct. 12, 29th, 12.77 apg) ... in career, has 15 10+ dig, one 20+ dig & 12 double-doubles ... ranks No. 4 in career assists per game (11.57 in 137 GP) & No. 8 in career assists (1,585) ... 2003 Second Team All-WAC.
Fr., OH, Tuli Peters
Made collegiate debut vs. New Mexico ... has season-high 19 kills vs. No. 19 Long Beach State & CS Northridge ... has season-high 30 digs vs. San Jose State ... recorded season-best 7 blocks vs. New Mexico State ... second on team in digs (348, 3.25 dpg) & third in kills (281, 2.63 dpg) ... has 12 10+ kill matches, 19 10+ dig, 3 20+ dig, 1 30+ dig & 11 double-doubles ... has at least one total block in 20 matches ... has season-best streak of 12 10-plus dig matches & averaged 13.33 per match/3.40 per game (160) ... has hit better than .300, 7x & better than .400, 5x ... has scored 20 or more points in a match, twice.
Sr., OH, Stefanie Taelman
Recorded 200th career kill vs. Louisiana Tech ... recorded a career-high 16 digs vs. SMU & San Jose State... picked up third career double-double vs. SMU ... tied career-best with 15 kills vs. Oregon State ... set career-high 7 block assists & total blocks vs. Nevada & San Jose State ... set career-best 2 block solos vs. SJSU ... has 3 double-figure kill, 10 10+ dig & 3 double-doubles ... has hit better than .300, 6x ... in career, has 6 double-figure kill, 13 10+ dig & 4 double-doubles.
So., MB, Andrea Thrower
Has season-high 9 kills vs. Md.-Eastern Shore ... set career-best 4 digs vs. Idaho State ... has career-high 9 block assists & 11 total blocks vs. San Jose State ... recorded first career 10+ block match vs. San Jose State ... has career-high 2 block solos vs. Georgetown & San Jose State ... set career-best 2 aces vs. San Diego & #19 Long Beach State ... has one assist vs. six teams this year ... in career, has one 10+ kill match & one 10+ block match.
