Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
USC (USC/LMU Tournament)
Volleyball Falls At No. 14 USC
9/1/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 1, 2006
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State volleyball team opened tournament action at the USC/Loyola Marymount Classic and dropped a three-game set to the No. 14 USC Women of Troy.
Playing their third Top 25 team in the last four matches, the Bulldogs met up against a well oiled machine as USC dominated in every statistical category.
Fresno State was led by Angela Wiggins and Lacey Gera, who each had five kills a piece. Defensively, the Bulldogs were led by Cassie Gilford's eight digs and Alisha McKee's three blocks.
Not dropping a single game all season, USC (4-0) hit .303 as Diane Copenhagen, who played for the U.S. Junior National Team at the 2005 U-20 FIVB World Championships in Turkey, collected a match-high 11 kills. Also chipping in was Asia Kaczor, the 2005 NJCAA Player of the Year, and Jessica Gysin who each had nine kills a piece. With the Women of Troy netting 19.5 total blocks, they were spearheaded by Taylor Carico who posted a match-high nine blocks. In addition, All-America libero Debora Seilhamer collected a match-best 13 digs.
In game one, Fresno State trailed 15-7 before calling a time out. The Bulldogs then rallied and kept themselves in the game before a block and a kill by USC sealed the win.
In game two, the Women of Troy jumped out to a 5-0 lead and then took a 13-3 advantage. USC wrapped up the game with a 5-2 run.
In game three, the 'Dogs turned the tables and jumped out to a 4-0 lead, including a service ace by Cheryl Selenak. USC rallied to tie the game at seven before taking the lead at 9-7. Nipping at their heels, Fresno State went on a brief 6-3 run and got within two when it trailed 18-16. However, the Women of Troy kept the pressure on and went on to post a third game victory.
Fresno State (1-4) continues tournament action tomorrow morning with an 11:00 a.m. match against co-host Loyola Marymount.
