Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Kentucky (SMS/Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational)
Volleyball Upends Kentucky in Four
9/4/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 4, 2004
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A first game struggle against Kentucky didn't derail the Bulldogs as Fresno State went on to post a 25-30, 30-21, 30-13 and 30-17 victory over the Wildcats in the Dr. Mary Jo Winn Invitational at the Hammons Student Center this morning. With a balanced attack, a defensive prowess and a shot of energy off the bench, the 'Dogs would finish the match with four player who posted double-figure kills or double-figure digs as Fresno State improved to 3-0 overall. Senior All-America outside hitter Kristen Fenton saw 20/20 versus the Southeastern Conference foe as she posted match highs in kills (22) and digs (20). With 47 consecutive 10-plus kill performances, Fenton notched her second 20-kill match and first 20-dig match of the season. While posting her second career 20-dig match, Fenton also notched her first career 20/20 as she leads all players in the tournament with a 6.20 kill per game average. Senior middle blocker Tiffany Bishop was outstanding offensively as she hit a match-best .441 (18-3-34) and picked up her second double-digit kill match this fall after recording 18 kills with six digs and three blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Tuli Peters tallied her third consecutive double-double as she had 12 kills, 12 digs and a team- and career-best seven block assists. Freshmen middle blockers Christianna Reneau and Alisha McKee fueled the 'Dogs offense off the bench. With extensive playing time for the first time as Bulldogs, Reneau jumped in with both feet and posted a double-double after collecting 10 kills and 11 digs to go along with three blocks. McKee chipped in five kills and had two digs while netting six blocks. Continuing her outstanding back court play, freshman libero Yuko Mori posted her first 10-plus dig match when she had 10 versus Kentucky. Junior setter Robyn Keune captained the Bulldogs' turn around after dishing out a match-high 57 assists while picking up an ace and six digs. While UK (2-2) won the battle at the net by outblocking the Bulldogs, 14-11, the Wildcats also had four players in double-figure kills but only two Wildcats mustered 10 or more digs. In game one, Kentucky had its own block party with a 5-1 advantage. Bishop tied the game at 6-6 and Fenton put the 'Dogs up 7-6 but that would be the only time Fresno State would maintain a lead. As the Wildcats jumped out to an 8-7 lead, UK would never look back en route to a 30-25 win. Fenton had seven kills and Bishop had six to lead the way for the 'Dogs. With back-to-back kills by Fenton to put Fresno State up 9-8 in game two, the Bulldogs turned the table on the Wildcats. Never relinquishing its lead, Fresno State went up 17-12 before UK called a time out. As the next 18 points were split evenly (9-9), Kentucky called its second time out with the 'Dogs leading 26-21. Fresno State controlled the final four plays as Peters and Bishop had a kill and Reneau had a kill and block solo. Fenton and Bishop each had six kills but Fenton collected 11 digs in the second set. Peters had five kills and hit .714 (5-0-7) and sparked the Bulldogs' blocking game with three blocks; Bishop also had three blocks. With Fresno State hitting .385 in game two, Fenton already had notched a double-double with 13 kills and 13 digs while Bishop had 12 kills to her credit. Game three was all Bulldogs as they jumped out to 12-4 and 23-9 leads. Closing out the match with a 7-4 run, Fresno State hit .364 as Fenton recorded six kills and hit .500 (6-1-10) and McKee and Peters each had four blocks to control the net. In game four, Fresno State overcame a three point deficit (6-3) and tied the game at 6-6 on a Bishop kill. A Reneau kill put the 'Dogs up 7-6 but UK tied the game at 8-8 on a Bulldog hitting error. After Kentucky was called for a ball handling error to give Fresno State a 9-8 lead, the Bulldogs started to create distance. Up 17-12 on a Peters' kill and increasing the lead to 20-13 on a Bishop kill, Fresno State closed out the match with a 10-4 run. "I was very pleased with what I saw on the court today," head coach Lindy Vivas said. "We struggled a little bit in the first game but we had players come off the bench and perform very well. "A couple of our freshmen made a big difference," Vivas continued. "Christianna made an immediate impact and Alisha added speed and quickness to the court as she touched a lot of ball on the block. They came in and played nicely with our returnees. "Having three outside hitters recording double-doubles was tremendous," Vivas stated. "Serving was key as the strategy worked to keep Kentucky out of its offense. "Tiffany was excellent offensively," Vivas added. "She worked the court with her hitting. Yuko had some key digs and she's been playing very well in her first weekend of Division I play. Kristen showed everyone what we know she can always do when she posted that 20/20." Fresno State closes out tournament play tonight at 6:00 p.m. (PDT) against host and undefeated Southwest Missouri State.
