Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Northern Arizona (NAU Invite)
Volleyball Tallies Five-Game Win Over Northern Arizona
9/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 20, 2003
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Utilizing a gritty performance and withstanding a never-say-die attitude from a pesky Northern Arizona squad, Fresno State pulled out a 3-2 victory over the host Lumberjacks to improve to 2-0 at the La Quinta/Northern Arizona Invitational this afternoon.
The Bulldogs notched a 31-29, 23-30, 30-24, 27-30 and 15-7 win as they improved to 1-2 in five game matches played this season.
For the second straight match, Fresno State (9-3) had four players post double-figure kill performances and five had double-digits in digs as the Bulldogs handed NAU its fifth loss at home since 1995 against non-conference opponents; Northern Arizona came into today's match with a 33-4 (.892) home court record versus non-conference foes.
Senior middle blocker Carrie Hartt and junior middle blocker Tiffany Bishop tied for team-high honors in kills with 18 a piece. Bishop notched her first double-double as a Bulldog after collecting a season-high 10 digs to go along with five blocks.
Junior outside hitter Kristen Fenton and freshman outside hitter Tuli Peters each tallied a double-double as they both had 16 kills. Fenton collected a match- and season-high 18 digs and had a block while Peters totaled 11 digs and two blocks.
Sophomore setter Robyn Keune set her second straight match in which she tallied 60 or more assists. With 61 against the Lumberjacks, she also picked up 15 digs and had a career-best four blocks.
Northern Arizona (6-5) also had four players with 10 or more kills as they were led by Megan Van Anda (19 kills, 13 digs, 1 block).
Playing from behind in the first four games, Fresno State hit .247 against NAU's .190 overall in the match. The Bulldogs also won the statistical categories in kills (75-68), digs (84-68) and blocks (14-10).
Fresno State did not dominate the match until game five. While hitting efficiently in games two and three, the Bulldogs' all-around game did not come to life until the final set.
For the first time of the match, Fresno State charged out to a three point lead (4-1). The Bulldogs utilized their blocking game (three blocks) and tallied 10 kills to just one error while hitting .563 in game five. Northern Arizona totaled just five true points and was limited by the 'Dogs offense as NAU hit .188 (5-2-16). In the fifth game, Fenton went 3-3 as the team out blocked the Lumberjacks, 3-0.
Fresno State closes out tournament play this evening with a 5:00 p.m. match against Liberty (5-8).
