Fresno State Athletics
Volleyball Off to Sacramento State Invitational
9/2/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 2, 2003
FRESNO, Calif. -
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Volleyball Hits the Road for Three Straight Weeks
The Fresno State volleyball team will be on the road the next three weeks as the Bulldogs open a 10-match road swing beginning with the Sacramento State Invitational this weekend. The Bulldogs then will compete in the University of San Diego and Northern Arizona Invitationals, respectively, before making their next appearance in the North Gym. Fresno State's next home appearance will be Sept. 25 and 27 when the 'Dogs open Western Athletic Conference play against Rice and Tulsa, respectively.
Sacramento State Invitational
Fresno State travels to Sacramento this weekend where the Bulldogs will play four matches at the Sacramento State Invitational. For the Bulldogs, they kick off invitational play against Georgetown (11:30 a.m.) and host Sacramento State (7:30 p.m.) on Fri., Sept. 5, before closing out tournament play against Oregon State (11:30 a.m.) and UC Riverside (5:00 p.m.) the next day. Fresno State will battle Georgetown for the first time while the Bulldogs and Sacramento State will square off for the 24th time. The Dogs will meet Oregon State for the 13th time while playing UC Riverside for just the seventh time.
The Schedule
Opening the year by playing 10 of its first 13 matches on the road, Fresno State will end up playing 16 road matches to 11 home during the regular season. In the first three months of the season, the Bulldogs will have played 15 road matches while appearing in the North Gym just seven times. Fresno State closes out its 2003 regular season schedule by playing at home in four of its final five contests. Compared to 2002, the Bulldogs' schedule featured 17 road games to 13 at home. In the last two years combined, not counting postseason play for 2003, the Bulldogs will have played nine more road contests (33-24). In 2001 and 2000, the 'Dogs schedule was even as 12 were played away and at home in 2001 and 15 were played away and home. Since the new millennium, Fresno State will have played 60 road games, before beginning postseason play in 2003, to 51 home games. Being a road warrior proved favorable for the 'Dogs in 2002 as they qualified for the NCAA Tournament while owning a 12-5 road mark.
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. Looking for her 100th Western Athletic Conference win, Vivas garnered WAC Coach of the Year honors last fall. Vivas has led the Bulldog program to nine 20-win seasons while advancing to postseason play seven times overall. 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 the second straight season. Averaging 19 wins a year, Vivas owns a 13-year record of 229-148 (.607) at Fresno State and a 17-year career mark of 301-208 (.591). The Bulldogs, who are 106-50 (.680) at home, have gone 23-5 in the North Gym the past three seasons. Vivas has coached eight AVCA all-region/all-district winners and 24 all-WAC picks (27 overall). Leading the 'Dogs to all five WAC Volleyball Tournaments (1996-98, 2001-02), she directed the program to its best start in (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 rankings.
Week 1 in Review: 'Dog Claim Own Invitational Crown
Head coach Lindy Vivas collected her 300th career win when the Bulldogs opened the year with a three-game sweep over New Mexico ... Fresno State opened the season with a victory for the 21st time overall (21-11-1) and is 8-5 under Vivas in season openers ... In home openers, the program is 19-7 overall (since 1978) and 10-3 under Vivas ... Selected to the seven-player all-tournament team, junior outside hitter Kristen Fenton (Marysville, Mich.) was one of two players in the tournament to hit better than .400 as she led all players in hitting percentage with a .414 average (56-8-116) while ranking second in kills (56, 4.67 kpg), third in service aces (6, 0.50) and sixth in blocks (10, 0.83 bpg)... Fenton set the school's rally scoring record in hitting percentage for three games (15-19 attempts) by hitting .667, 13-1-18 vs. New Mexico ... She posted a pair of 20-kill matches (22 vs. Idaho State and 21 vs. Cal Poly) and tallied double-figure kills in all three matches played ... Leading the Bulldogs in kills in every match and the only 'Dog to collect 10 or more in each match, she hit a career-best .667 (13-1-18) in the season opener versus New Mexico ... Recording double-doubles against Idaho State and Cal Poly, Fenton picked up her fourth and fifth career 20-kill matches last weekend ... In the opener versus New Mexico, Fenton had a team-best 13 kills while hitting .667 (13-1-18) with a match-high four service aces and a match-best four blocks ... In the five-game loss to Idaho State, she recorded a double-double with a team-high 22 kills and 12 digs while hitting .321 (22-4-56) and adding two blocks ... In the four-game regional victory over Cal Poly, Fenton notched a match-high 21 kills and had a team-best 11 digs as she hit .429 (21-3-42) to go along with four blocks ... Dating back to last season, Fenton has extended her streak to 19 consecutive double-figure kill matches and has totaled 317 kills in 72 games (4.40 kpg) for an average of 16.68 kills per match ... Freshman outside hitter Tuli Peters (Laie, Hawaii) had 10+ kill performances in two of three matches started, including a season-high 13 versus Idaho State ... Junior libero Tina Brennan (Woodinville, Wash.) had double-figure digs in two matches, including one 20+ dig performance with 21 versus Idaho State ... Senior outside hitter Stefanie Taelman (Gavere, Belgium) collected a personal-best 13 digs against Cal Poly ... She also tallied 11 kills against the Mustangs to post her second career double-double ... Sophomore outside hitter La'akea Campbell (Kaneohe, Hawaii) posted a career-best 11 digs against Idaho State for her first career double-figure dig match ... Sophomore middle blocker Andrea Thrower (Downey, Calif.) had a career-best four digs and four blocks versus Idaho State ... Senior middle blocker Carrie Hartt (Manteca, Calif.) had a pair double-figure kill matches versus Idaho State and Cal Poly ... In the tournament, she was sixth in kills (38) and kills per game (3.17) and tied for third in service aces with six (0.50 sapg) ... Sophomore setter Robyn Keune (Ventura, Calif.) set a career-best 61 assists against Idaho State and recorded her first bock solo versus Cal Poly ... In the Fresno State Invitational, she led all setters in assists (149) and assists per game (12.42).
Invite Opponents
Georgetown
is coming off a 1-2 record at the Brion's Grille/Doubletree Patriot Invitational in Fairfax, Va. ... The Hoyas opened the tournament with a four-game win over Fairfield (30-24, 30-24, 24-30, 30-28) ... On the second day, Georgetown dropped two after being swept by tournament host George Mason (30-19, 30-24, 30-26) and losing in four to Southwest Missouri State (19-30, 19-30, 30-25, 24-30) ... The Hoyas were led by sophomore outside hitter Rachel Nelson, who had 14 kills and five digs against Fairfield before tallying six kills and seven digs versus George Mason ... In addition, junior setter Margaret Vernon posted a match-high 43 assists to go along with five digs, three kills and two blocks versus Fairfield while tallying 20 assists and three kills against George Mason and 39 digs and 11 digs versus Southwest Missouri State ... This is the first meeting between Fresno State and Georgetown.
Sacramento State
is coming off a 1-2 worksheet at the LMU Furama Hotel Invitational ... The Hornets opened the season against West Virginia and were swept by the Mountaineers (31-29, 30-21, 30-18) ... On the second day, Sacramento State split after beating UNLV in three (31-29, 30-21, 30-25) and losing in three to host and tournament winner Loyola Marymount (30-20, 30-17, 30-22) ... The Hornets were led by all-tournament selections and Lisa Beauchene and Kazmiera Imrie ... A senior setter, Beauchene is averaged 9.00 assists per game while second on the team in blocks (5, 0.56 bpg) and third in digs (28, 3.11 dpg). A senior outside hitter/middle hitter, Imrie leads the team in kills (28, 3.11 kpg) and blocks (8, 0.89 bpg). Fresno State holds a 17-6 series lead and the Bulldogs have won 11 of the last 14 but are 2-2 in their last two trips to Sacramento.
Oregon State
is coming off a 3-0 mark and a tournament win in its own OSU Volleyball Showcase ... The Beavers opened the year with a five-game victory over Gonzaga (30-23, 30-16, 28-30, 28-30, 15-5) before wrapping up tourney action with sweeps over Mississippi State (30-28, 30-28, 30-28) and Northern Arizona (30-15, 30-25, 30-21) ... Four Beavers garnered all-tournament honors, including junior transfer and outside hitter Anne Watts-Roberts who was named most valuable player ... Leading the way for Oregon State is Roberts, who is hitting. 488 while leading the squad in kills (46, 4.18 kpg) ... OSU will travel to St. Mary's on Wed., Sept. 3, before participating in the Sacramento State Invitational ...Oregon State holds a 5-7 series lead but the Bulldogs won the last meeting, a five-game victory in Corvallis, Ore., on Sept. 2, 1995.
UC Riverside
is coming off a four-game home loss to Valparaiso (30-27, 27-30, 22-30, 26-30) on Monday ... UCR opened its season at the San Diego State tournament and went 1-1 ... The Highlanders recorded a five-game victory over Rice (30-25, 25-30, 29-31, 30-27, 15-12) before being swept by San Diego State (30-25, 30-17, 30-15) ... UC Riverside is being led by senior middle hitter Rosanna Parizek ... Returning as the team's top blocker, Parizek has a team-best 65 kills (5.42 kpg) to go along with 17 digs (1.42 dpg) and six blocks (0.50 bpg) ... The all-time series between Fresno State and UCR, the series tied at 2-2-2 ... The last time these two teams met was in 1984 with the Bulldogs picking up a three-game sweep on Sept. 15; the two squads are 1-1-1 in the last three meetings.
Hartt and Fenton Named Preseason All-WAC
With both garnering first team all-league honors in 2002, Hartt returns as the WAC's top blocker after averaging 1.36 blocks per game in overall play and 1.47 blocks per game in league action while Fenton returns as the Bulldogs' top all-around player after tallying 403 kills (3.84 kpg), 36 service aces, 292 digs (2.78 dpg) and 66 total blocks (0.63 bpg). Fenton also set the program's sixth-best hitting performance in a season (.301) while closing out 2002 with a streak of 16 double-figure kill matches. Both are named to their first WAC preseason team this fall.
'Dogs Tabbed Second in 2003 WAC Preseason Poll
Picking up one first place vote, Fresno State was tabbed second in the 2003 WAC Volleyball Coaches Preseason Poll released last month. With 70 points, the Bulldogs were runner-up to national semifinalist Hawai'i (81 pts.), which tallied nine first-place votes. Nevada was picked third (66 pts.) while Rice (57 pts.) and San Jose State (45 pts.) round out the top five. UTEP (35 pts.), SMU (33 pts.), Louisiana Tech (25 pts.), Boise State (23 pts.) and Tulsa (14 pts.) wrap up the preseason volleyball poll.
Fresno State Receives Preseason Recognition
The Bulldogs picked up preseason recognition last month 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 released on 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+). Ranking as high as No. 28, Fresno State received votes in 11 of the 13 weekly polls in 2002.
Home Success
The Bulldogs have enjoyed success in the North and South Gyms over the years and own an all-time home record of 172-118 (.593) since 1978; the Bulldogs are 128-84 (.604) since 1987 in the North Gym. 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 in school history, tied its own record for consecutive wins (9) and tied the school record for consecutive conference home wins (6). Fresno State is 106-50 (.679) overall and 23-5 (.821) at home, dating back to last season, under Vivas.
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 after defeating California in three games. Fresno State ended its season with a final 23-7 overall record after making its third NCAA appearance under Vivas, who has taken the Bulldogs to postseason play six times under her tutelage (NCAA and NIVC). With a 2-4 mark in NCAA action, 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, which hit .251 on the season, broke the school record for best hitting percentage and posted its best win-lost percentage in school history under Vivas at .767 (23-7). Behind Hawai'i's 34 victories, the Bulldogs had the second-highest number of wins in the WAC with 23. Fresno State was one of four teams in the league to post 20 or more victories on the year.
'Dogs Get National Votes for 11 Straight Weeks
Fresno State received national recognition from around the country for 11 straight weeks and 11 times in 13 weeks overall in 2002. During the 11 week period, the Bulldogs were listed as high as No. 28. The Bulldogs also appeared in Volleyball Magazine and received votes for two weeks with its highest appearance at 33rd.
2003 Bulldog Volleyball Returners Capsules
Jr., L/DS, Tina Brennan
Has two double-figure dig matches, including a season-high 21 vs. Idaho State ... leads the team in digs with 37 (3.08 dpg) ... set school's rally scoring record for digs in 4 games (27 vs. #7 UCSB) and in 5 games (26 vs. CS Northridge) in 2002 ... in career, has 27 ten-plus dig matches & four 20+ dig matches.
So., OH, La'akea Campbell
Hit a career-best .333 (4-1-9) vs. Idaho State ... set first career 10+ dig match with 11 vs. Idaho State ... in career, has one 10+ dig match.
Jr., OH, Kristen Fenton
Dating back to last season, has a streak of 19 10+ kill matches & has totaled 317 kills in 72 games (4.40 kpg) for an average of 16.68 kills per match ... repeated as an all-tournament pick at the Fresno State Invitational ... has 3 double-figure kill matches, 2 double-figure dig, 2 double-doubles and 2 20+ kill matches on year ... in career, opened 2003 ranked No. 10 in career hitting pct. (.261) ... has totaled 34 10+ kill matches, 29 10+ dig matches, 22 double-doubles, 5 20+ kill & one 20+ dig match ... 2002 AVCA All-West Region ... 2002 first team all-WAC ... 2002 all-WAC tournament ... 2002 WAC Player of the Week (Nov. 11) ... 2003 preseason all-WAC.
Sr., MB, Carrie Hartt
Dating back to last season, has totaled 109 blocks in last 22 matches for a 4.95 block per match average in 80 games played (1.36 bpg) ... has two double-figure kill matches on year ... in career, has 19 10+ kill matches, 3 10+ block, 1 20+ kill & 3 double-doubles ... 2002 first team all-WAC ... 2002 all-WAC tournament ... 2003 preseason all-WAC.
So., S, Robyn Keune
Set a career-high 61 assists vs. Idaho State ... picked up a double-double vs. Cal Poly with 54 assists & 10 digs ... posted first career block solo against Cal Poly ... tied career-high 10 digs vs. cal Poly ... in career, has two double-doubles (assists and kills) and two 10+ dig matches.
Jr., OH, Amanda Magalei
Recorded first career service ace vs. Idaho State ... had first career block vs. Cal Poly ... set a career-best two blocks vs. New Mexico.
So., L/DS, Briana Rempel
Collegiate debut vs. Nicholls State (FS Invite) ... recorded first career kill, dig and block vs. Nicholls State ... appeared in 2 matches in 2002.
Sr., OH, Stefanie Taelman
Recorded a career-high 13 digs vs. Cal Poly ... picked up second career double-double against Cal Poly with 11 kills and 13 digs ... has season-best 11 kills, 13 digs, an assist and a block vs. Cal Poly ... has one double-figure kill, double-figure dig and double-double on the season ... in career, has 4 double-figure kill matches, 4 10+ dig and 2 double-doubles.
So., MB, Andrea Thrower
Notched a career-best four digs and four blocks vs. Idaho State ... in career, has 1 double-figure kill match.
