Fresno State Athletics
Volleyball Enters Postseason Play At WAC Tournament
11/23/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 21, 2005
Fresno, Calif. -
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Tournament Spotlight
Fresno State begins postseason play this week, as the team participates in the WAC Tournament in Reno, Nev. All nine teams in the conference are included in the tournament, and the Bulldogs enter as the seventh seed having finished conference play with a 4-12 record in conference. Fresno State will face Utah State in the first round as the no. 2 seed, a team that the Bulldogs split with in the regular season. The Bulldogs took a five-game win against the Aggies on Oct. 5 in Fresno, as Alison Pitton made 26 kills and Cassie Gilford contributed 32 digs, the second highest total for the Bulldogs on the season. Fresno State was unable to repeat the win in Logan, however, losing in three games on Oct. 24. The tournament starts on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, and the Fresno State-Utah State game begins at 2:30 p.m. The day will start with a play-in game, which will feature the 8 and 9 seeds Boise State and Louisiana Tech. The winner of that match will have to play a second time on the day, facing top seed No. 8 Hawai'i in the evening match at 7 p.m. In the remaining matches, host Nevada will play Idaho, and New Mexico State will play San Jose State. Semifinal matches will continue on Friday, and the championship will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and will be televised nationally on CSTV.
In Idaho
The Bulldogs finished out the regular season last week by taking an extended road trip to Idaho, where the 'Dogs played Idaho and Boise State. Fresno State was unable to convert either match into a win, losing both road matches in four games. One more milestone was passed in those matches, however. Senior setter Robyn Keune had 100 assists on the week, which was more than enough to pass Traci Sliester for third among all Fresno State players in career assists, ending the week with 3,428.
A Look Ahead
The Bulldogs have announced the signing of three players who will join the program next fall. Focusing on local talent, Fresno State has brought in three standout players from the Central Valley who will help add size to the 2006 Fresno State Volleyball team. Karlie Houston, a 6'0" middle blocker/outside hitter from Sanger will help add athleticism in the front row. Also joining her in the middle is Kelly Leonardo. A three-sport athlete at Golden Valley High School in Merced, the 6'2" Leonardo will take the chance to focus on Volleyball for the first time, and has a tremendous upside. Leonardo also joins fellow Golden Valley product Nicole Sandino with the Bulldogs. Rounding out the class is 6'0" Alexandra Watson. Watson is a solid middle blocker/outside hitter from Liberty High School in Bakersfield, and is one of the top hitters in the Central Section, as well as being named all-league last season as a Junior. "We will always recruit Valley talent first, and this recruiting class is a good reflection of that," said head coach Ruben Nieves. "We are thrilled to be able to bring this level of local talent into the program. In order for Fresno State Volleyball to thrive at the national level, we have to recruit and build on the great talent that exists here in the Central Valley."
