Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Fresno Pacific (exhibition)
Fresno State Drops Exhibition to Fresno Pacific
8/30/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 30, 2005
Fresno, Calif. - Fresno State volleyball opened their season their season Tuesday night with an exhibition match against Fresno Pacific across the city. The Bulldogs held close through two games, including a 28-28 tie late in the second game, but ended up losing the match in three straight games in front of a standing room only crowd at the Special Events Center. The Bulldogs were led by Mounia Nihipali, who had 8 kills, and by Cheryl Selenek, who helped the defense with 8 digs during the match.
Fresno Pacific, one of the top NAIA teams in the country, entered the match ranked #2 in the country and is a favorite to repeat as the NAIA champion. Those credentials provided the Bulldogs with all of the challenge that they needed in their last tuneup before the regular season. The Bulldogs started game one with an offensive show from outside hitter Mounia Nihipai, who led all hitters in the first game with seven kills, but the Sunbirds finished out the game 30-24.
The second game was more to Fresno State's liking as the Bulldogs held a slim lead over the Sunbirds through the majority of the match, including a 26-24 advantage. The Sunbirds ended up taking the second game as well, and took that momentum into the third game to complete the sweep 30-8.
"I think that we're very fortunate to have such a quality program in our backyard," said head coach Ruben Nieves. "They provide a great team and atmosphere that we can measure up against in the fall and the spring."
The Bulldogs open their regular season this weekend as the team travels to the USF Coca Cola/Asics Classic in San Francisco. The team will play two matches each on Friday and Saturday to begin the year.
Game 1 - Fresno State opened with the first point of the game, but Fresno Pacific opened the game up to a 10-6 lead early. The Bulldogs cut the gap down to 11-9, but the Sunbirds continued to a 17-12 lead before the first timeout of the game, following continued kills from Lorena Zuleta and Thais Julio of Fresno Pacific. A serving miscue from Zuleta and an ace from Fresno State setter Ilima Sam Fong led to a Fresno State comeback cutting the lead to 22-17, but Julio and Zuneta each racked up kills to extend the lead to 25-17. Two kills from sophomore Mounia Nihipali, one from Alison Piton and an ace by Yuko Mori brought the score back to 29-21, but the Sunbirds closed out game one with a 30-21 win. Nihipali led all hitters in the first game with 7 kills.
Game 2 - Game two began with a quick advantage for the Sunbirds, as Fresno Pacific reeled off four of the first five points before the first Bulldog block of the match brought the team to within two at 4-2. After making no blocks in the first game, the Bulldogs took the lead in the second game with three straight blocks, including a solo block by Jessica Peterson. Three further points gave Fresno State a 9-6 lead. Fresno Pacific regained the lead at 14-13, but Nihipali added a kill to even the match. The Bulldogs stayed just a step ahead of the Sunbirds through the much of the match, taking stops at 16-14, 22-20 and 24-22 before Fresno Pacific evened the match at 26. The two teams continued to exchange points until the Sunbirds finally took the second game 30-28.
Game 3 - The Sunbirds entered the third game in complete control, as Fresno Pacific started the game by scoring the first twelve points before the streak was ended with an Allison Pitton kill. A service ace from Alisha McKee brought the Bulldogs to 13-4, but Fresno Pacific was too strong in the end, closing out the game in quick fashion 30-8. The Sunbirds picked their spots well in the final game, hitting .414. over the match.
