Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
University of San Diego (USD Invite)
Volleyball Falls to University of San Diego
9/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 12, 2003
SAN DIEGO - The Fresno State volleyball team came out emotionally flat and fell into a one-dimensional trap as the Bulldogs dropped a four-game decision to tournament host University of San Diego in the opening match of the USD Invitational.
The Bulldogs (6-2) had their five-match win streak halted by the Toreros (5-2) as USD snagged a 30-22, 21-30, 33-31 and 30-26 victory.
The University of San Diego used a balanced attack offensively and defensively as the Toreros sported four players with 10 or more kills and three had double-figure digs. Fresno State had two players with double-figure kill performances and two with 10 or more digs.
Junior outside hitter Kristen Fenton (21 kills, 9 digs) and senior middle blocker Carrie Hartt (11 kills, 6 blocks) led the way for Fresno State. San Diego was spearheaded by Devon Forster (26 kills, 2 blocks) and Cassie Wolpern (17 kills, 20 digs).
In game one, Fresno State trailed from the first serve. With USD building an 11-6 lead, that would be the closest the Bulldogs would get to the Toreros who had as much as a nine point lead three different times. The Toreros hit .381 to Fresno State's .200.
In game two, the Bulldogs built an 8-3 lead and never relinquished the lead as USD got within two at 18-17, 19-17 and 20-18. Fresno State closed out the game with a 10-3 run as the 'Dogs hit .297 to San Diego's .098.
Game three was an opportunity missed for the Bulldogs. With the game tied 20 times, including 13 ties after the two squads were knotted at 18-18, Fresno State clawed its way back from a five point deficit (12-17) to tie the game at 18. With game point twice within their grasp at 29-28 and 30-29, the Bulldogs' middle attack betrayed them. San Diego took advantage of the hitting miscues and would seal the victory with a 4-1 run.
In game four, the Bulldogs were in the game up until 8-8. San Diego then went on to build an 18-13 lead before being challenged by the 'Dogs. Fresno State put together a 6-1 run to tie the game at 19 but USD squelched the mild come back by going up 27-23 before winning 30-26.
Fresno State will look to rebound from this evening's loss when the Bulldogs meet No. 19 Long Beach State (4-1) tomorrow afternoon at 12:00 p.m. and Maryland-Eastern Shore at 5:00 p.m. to close out tournament play.
