Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Boise State
Volleyball Drops Regular Season Finale In Four Games
11/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 19, 2005
Boise, Idaho - Fresno State won a balanced first game, taking a 30-27 win over Boise State, but the team was unable to capitalize on their momentum, falling in four to the Broncos, 30-27,19-30, 23-30, 18-30. Senior setter Robyn Keune finished with 48 assists and 4 kills for the Bulldogs, but the Bulldogs' defense was unable to keep the Boise State offense out of the remaining games in the loss, recording only 46 digs on the night. Jeanette Jenkins and Cameron Flunder led Boise State with 17 kills apiece in the regular season finale for both teams.
Fresno State pulled out to an early lead at 9-5 in the first game, and never relinquished it, as the Bulldogs hit .200 in the first game and capitalized on four service errors by the Broncos in the 30-27 win. The Bulldogs were unable to keep that pace through the remainder of the match, as Boise State made 66 digs and held the Bulldogs under .200 hitting for the remainder of the night.
The Bulldogs were led by junior outside hitter Alison Pitton, who made 17 kills, and libero Yuko Mori led the way defensively for the Bulldogs with 14 digs. Angela Wiggins also contributed 14 kills.
Volleyball will close out the season next week, as the team travels to Reno, Nev. for the WAC tournament. The Bulldogs are the seventh seed in the tournament, and will open play against either New Mexico State or Utah State depending on conference play later tonight. Those matches will be held on Thanksgiving day.
Game 1 Recap - Early parity reigned in the first game, as neither team gained any momentum on the way to a 5-5 tie. The Bulldogs began a run at that juncture, scoring points off of an Alison Pitton kill and a Yuko Mori ace to take a 9-5 lead heading into a Boise State timeout. The Bulldogs tacked on one more before a Ki Eveland kill gave the Broncos a sideout. Boise State pulled back into the game at that point, tying the game at 11, but Fresno State continued to hold the service advantage, keeping one step ahead of the Broncos through the middle of the match. The game continued in that fashion, as the Bulldogs were unable to match their early lead, but stayed ahead of the Broncos behind kills from Alison Pitton and Angela Wiggins combined with service errors by the Broncos. Boise State tied the game late at 27-27, but Angela Wiggins made a kill to keep the Bulldog lead, a double-touch from Boise State's Mandy Klein brought game point, and the Bulldogs closed it out with a 30-27 win.
Game 2 Recap - Boise State scored the first two points, and held on to that lead through the early portion of the match, grabbing a quick 5-3 lead. Fresno State held tight with the Broncos, tying the Broncos four times before the teams reached 15 points. Boise State made a run at that point, taking a 17-11 lead before a Cassie Gilford kill began a Fresno State run to cut the lead to 19-15. Boise State answered back with four straight points, and went on to take game two 30-19.
Game 3 Recap - Starting game three with an ace from Jackie Stroud, the Broncos looked to come out quickly, but Fresno State responded with a kill by Alison Pitton and an ace of their own by Jessica Peterson to start ahead 2-1. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 5-3 after an Alison Pitton ace, but couldn't hold on to their momentum, and Boise State took four straight points to take a two-point lead of their own. A block and a kill by Angela Wiggins evened the match again at 7-7, as both teams settled into a rhythm. Fresno State miscues began to pile up, and Boise State slowly took a 15-12 lead. The Bulldogs began to cut into the lead behind an Angela Wiggins kill and two Boise State errors at 16-15 and moving to one behind again at 19-18. The Bulldogs were unable to turn the corner in the third game, and Boise State won game three 30-23
Game 4 Recap - Boise State opened the fourth game with some of their third game momentum, but Fresno State responded with an ace from Jessica Peterson and a strong kill from Alison Pitton to tie the fourth game a 4-4. The Bulldogs continued to hound the Broncos early, as neither team gained a foothold to a 13-13 tie. The Broncos made their move at that point, opening a 17-13 lead before a Fresno State timeout. Boise State continued to capitalize on their momentum from that point, and recorded a 30-18 win.
