Fresno State Athletics
Volleyball In Middle of Three Week Road Swing
9/8/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 8, 2003
FRESNO, Calif. -
Fresno State volleyball release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Volleyball On the Road for Three Straight Weeks
The Fresno State volleyball team is in the middle of a three week road swing. The Bulldogs opened a 10-match road swing last weekend at the Sacramento State Invitational. The 'Dogs compete at the University of San Diego Invitational this weekend before participating in the Northern Arizona Invitationl in two weeks. 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.
University of San Diego Invitational
Fresno State travels to San Diego this weekend where the Bulldogs will play three matches at the University of San Diego Invitational. The 'Dogs kick off tournament play against host University of San Diego (7:00 p.m.) on Fri., Sept. 12, before closing out tourney action against No. 19 Long Beach State (12:00 p.m.) and Maryland-Eastern Shore (5:00 p.m.) the next day. Fresno State will battle the University of San Diego for the 10th time while tangling with Long Beach State for the 16th time and Maryland-Eastern Shore for the first time. On the road this fall, Fresno State is 4-0 with a 1-0 mark at away contests and a 3-0 mark at neutral sites.
'Dogs Get Votes for Second Time on Year
For the second time on the young season, Fresno State has received votes. Opening the preseason poll with seven votes for a No. 44 listing, the Bulldogs appear in the second week of the regular-season poll with five votes for a No. 36 showing.
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). Since 2000, Fresno State will have played 60 road games, to just 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 volleyball program to seven 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 the second straight season. Averaging 19 wins a year, Vivas owns a 13-year record of 233-148 (.612) at Fresno State and a 17-year career mark of 305-208 (.595). 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 (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 2 in Review: 'Dogs Claim Second Tourney Title
Fresno State went 4-0 last weekend and captured its second straight tournament title at the Sacramento State Invitational ... Two Bulldogs were named to the all-tournament team as the 'Dogs boasted the tourney MVP in junior outside hitter Kristen Fenton (Marysville, Mich.) while sophomore setter Robyn Keune (Ventura, Calif.) was selected to her first career all-tournament team ... Fresno State has equaled its start from a year ago with a 6-1 mark after picking up four-game victories over Georgetown, Sacramento State, Oregon State and UC Riverside.
20 Something
Fenton, who was named MVP and selected to her second straight all-tournament team at the Sacramento State Invitational, led all players in kills (89) and kills per game (5.56) while being listed among the top four in hitting (.363) and blocks (15, 0.94 bpg) last weekend ... Posting 20+ kill matches in all four played, Fenton picked up a season-high 23 versus UC Riverside in the finale ... With four 20+ kill matches last weekend, she has strung together six straight 20-kill performances and has had double-figure kill matches in all seven matches played to date ... In her last six matches, she has totaled 132 kills in 25 games for a 5.28 kill per game average; Fenton is averaging 22 kills per match ... As the Bulldogs' top kill leader in every match this season, Fenton has extended her streak to 23 consecutive double-figure kill matches and has tallied 406 kills in 88 games (4.61 kpg) for an average of 17.65 kills per match dating back to 2002 ... At the Sacramento State Invitational, Fenton collected match-high honors in kills in all four matches as she posted 22 versus Georgetown, Sacramento State and Oregon State before tallying a season-high 23 versus UC Riverside ... Also posting double-doubles in all four matches she hit better than .360 (.363, 89-19-193) in the tournament while hitting at least .300 in every match ... Last weekend she had season-highs in kills (23) and attempts (59) versus UC Riverside and in digs (13), block assists (5) and total blocks (5) against Oregon State ... Fenton's all-tournament selection was the fourth of her career.
Quiet Attack
Keune dished out a tournament-best 217 assists and averaged nearly 14.00 assists per game (13.56) to lead all players at the Sacramento State Invitational ... She also led the tournament in service aces with 13 (0.81 sapg)... With three double-doubles on the season, she set career highs in kills (6) against Oregon State and UC Riverside and attempts (13) and digs (13) versus OSU ... She picked up a personal-best four service against three different teams (Georgetown, Sacramento State and Oregon State) ... For the second straight week in tournament action Keune has led all setters in assists and assists per game.
Other Bulldog Top Performances
Freshman outside hitter Tuli Peters (Laie, Hawaii) excelled defensively as she led all players in digs with 66 (4.13 dpg) while ranking second in service aces (10, 0.63 sapg) ... With 10+ kill matches in four of seven matches this fall, she has tallied five straight double-figure dig matches ... Peters opened tournament play by notching a season-high 16 kills against Georgetown and wrapped up the final day of invitational play with her first 20+ dig performance (22) versus Oregon State ... Junior middle blocker Tiffany Bishop (St. Anne, Ill.) was the Bulldogs top blocker as she totaled 19 (1.27 bpg) ... Hitting .280 (34-13-75) last weekend, she picked up a season-high 10 kills against UC Riverside ... Senior middle blocker Carrie Hartt (Manteca, Calif.), who has posted 10 or more kills in five matches to date, hit .277 (55-17-137) in Sacramento and was second on the team in kills (55) and third in blocks (13, 0.81) ... Hartt set a season-high 19 kills and hit .462 (19-1-39) against Sacramento State while tying her career-high in assists with three versus Georgetown ... Senior outside hitter Stefanie Taelman (Gavere, Belgium) enjoyed a strong weekend ... Hitting .275 (31-9-80), she tied her career-high in kills with 15 versus Oregon State and picked up her third career double-double against the Beavers (15 kills, 11 digs); Taelman hit a season-best .387 (15-3-31) and had two blocks against OSU ... After being limited in action the last two years due to injuries, Taelman is hitting .283 on the year and has two 10+ kill matches and three 10+ dig matches as a senior ... Junior libero Tina Brennan (Woodinville, Wash.) recorded her fifth career 20+ dig match as she collected a match- and season-high versus UC Riverside ... She has posted 10 or more digs in six of seven matches played this fall.
Invite Opponents
University of San Diego (3-2)
is coming off a 0-2 worksheet at the Stanford Classic ... The Toreros were swept by No. 4 Stanford (30-25, 30-25, 35-33) and by No. 7 UC Santa Barbara (30-27, 30-18, 30-23) ... USD opened the year with a 3-0 mark at the Arizona State Tournament with victories over Ohio University (3-1), Utah (3-2) and Arizona State (3-0) to capture the Sun Devil Classic title ... Junior outside hitter Devon Forster was named the tournament MVP after tallying 53 kills (4.42 kpg) to lead all players ... Joining her on the Sun Devil Classic all-tournament team was sophomore setter Lindsey Sherburne and freshman outside hitter Cassie Wolpern ... Sherburne, who ranked ninth nationally in assists per game (13.54) as a rookie, brought a 13.17 assist per game average into last week's competition ... Wolpern, who is the nation's all-time prep record holder in kills, kicked off her first collegiate weekend two weeks ago by finishing second at the Arizona State tournament in digs (37) and fourth in kills (42) ... This is the 10th meeting between Fresno State and the University of San Diego ... Fresno State holds a 6-3 series advantage but 1-3 in the last four meetings ... In its last appearance in San Diego (1999), the Toreros swept the 'Dogs.
#19 Long Beach State (3-1)
is coming off a 1-1 record at home after sweeping Nevada (30-28, 30-21, 30-20) and losing to Eastern Washington in four (27-30, 30-27, 26-30, 15-30) ... Opening the year by playing its four matches at home, the 49ers are being led offensively by junior outside hitter/middle blocker Erika Chidester and senior middle blocker/outside hitter Liz Hudson ... Chidester has totaled 79 kills (5.64 kpg) with 28 digs (2.00 dpg) and 11 blocks (0.79 bpg) ... Hudson, a transfer from San Jose State, is next with 50 kills (3.57 kpg) and is hitting a team-best .267 to go along with 38 digs (2.71 dpg) and six blocks (0.43 bpg) ... Long Beach State has never dropped a match to Fresno State as the 49ers own an all-time series record of 15-0 ... The two programs last met in 1996 at the UC Santa Barbara Tournament; LBSU won in three.
Maryland-Eastern Shore (7-2)
is coming off a 3-1 home performance ... The Hawks swept Norfolk State (30-15, 30-22, 30-10) and St. Francis College (30-19, 30-20, 30-17) before winning in five against Fairleigh Dickinson (28-30, 28-30, 30-17, 30-18, 15-8) and closing out with a four-game loss to Central Connecticut (26-30, 30-26, 19-30, 26-30) ... Maryland-Eastern Shore is being led offensively by sophomore outside hitter Jana Milin, who has totaled 180 kills (5.81 kpg) with 14 service aces (0.45 sapg), 72 digs (2.32 dpg) and 11 blocks (0.35) ... Junior middle blocker Chrissy Jacobs is next with 79 kills (2.39 kpg) and is hitting a team-best .385 while also leading the Hawks in blocks (30, 0.91 bpg) ... This is the first meeting between the two programs.
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. 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.
2003 Bulldog Volleyball Returners Capsules
Jr., L/DS, Tina Brennan
Has six double-figure dig matches, including a season-high 24 vs. UC Riverside ... leads the team in digs with 102 (3.64 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 31 ten-plus dig matches & 5 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 ... recorded season-high 2 blocks vs. UC Riverside ... in career, has one 10+ dig match.
Jr., OH, Kristen Fenton
Dating back to last season, has a streak of 23 10+ kill matches & has totaled 406 kills in 88 games (4.61 kpg) for an average of 17.65 kills per match ... 2x all-tournament pick (Fresno State & Sacramento State lnvites) ... has 7 double-figure kill matches, 6 double-figure dig, 6 double-doubles and 6 20+ kill matches on year ... leads team in kills (145), kills per game (5.18), hitting (.382) while second in blocks (25, 0.89) and third in digs (73, 2.61 dpg) ... in career, opened 2003 ranked No. 10 in career hitting pct. (.261) ... has totaled 38 10+ kill matches, 33 10+ dig matches, 26 double-doubles, 9 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 122 blocks in last 26 matches for a 4.69 block per match average in 96 games played (1.27 bpg) ... has 5 double-figure kill matches on year ... in career, has 22 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 ... has 3 double-doubles on year ... posted first career block solo against Cal Poly ... set career-high 13 digs vs. Oregon State and UC Riverside ... also set career-best 6 kills vs. Oregon State ... named all-tournament at Sacramento State Invitational ... in career, has 4 double-doubles (assists and digs) and 4 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 & had first career kill, dig and block vs. NSU ... 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 ... tied career-best with 15 kills vs. Oregon State ... has 2 double-figure kill, 3 double-figure dig & 2 double-doubles on season ... in career, has 5 double-figure kill matches, 6 10+ dig & 3 double-doubles.
So., MB, Andrea Thrower
Set career-best four digs & four blocks vs. Idaho State ... set career-high 2 block solos vs. Georgetown ... in career, has 1 double-figure kill match.
