Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Hawai'i*
Bulldogs Unable To Defend Hawai'i Offense
9/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 24, 2006
Honolulu - As the Bulldogs defense has proven to be a strong key factor the Rainbow Wahine offense was just too much as they lost the three game match (21-30,15-30,18-30). Hawai'i ranked No. 15 in the AVCA poll moves to 7-4 overall, 1-0 in the conference. Fresno State found a rhythm but Hawai'i stuck to the game plan and secured the Bulldogs offense holding them to 047 hitting overall. The defense was led by libero Cheryl Selenak, who had 12 digs. Fresno State played competitive but it just wasn't enough as the Hawai'i offense was very accurate hitting .352.
Fresno State came out ready to play in game one with the score tied at 4-4 on a Jr. OH Angela Wiggins kill, who led the Bulldogs with 10 kills. The Bulldogs were able to keep up against the Rainbow Wahine with the score at 16-14 but Hawai'i started to run in game one with a tip by Jr. M Juliana Sanders. The Bulldogs were not able to make a comeback as Hawai'i won the first game 30-21.
Game two was marked by improved defense by the Rainbow Wahine, who made 45 digs overall and were able to stop Fresno State's attack. After the Bulldogs made 14 kills in the first game, they were held to nine in game two. On the other side, Hawai'i was slowed down on offense in game two only tallying nine kills but the defense stepped it up a notch by blocking eight of Fresno State's attacks. Hawai'i won game two 30-21.
In game three Hawai'i ran out quickly to a 6-1 lead on a Sr. OH Sarah Mason kill leading with11 kills on the night. Hawai'i wanted to leave no doubt in taking the match before they would let the Bulldogs back into game three. Fresno State looked to stay with Hawai'i at 15-11 on an Sr. OH Alison Pitton kill but the Rainbow Wahine's offense was on target and was the answer as they won the match 30-18.
The defense has been the focal point for Fresno State as it marked 30 digs but the offense showed some spark tallying 36 kills. The Bulldogs were led by Wiggins on 10 kills and Alison Pitton with nine. The Bulldogs were also led by red-shirt Fr. S Lisa Gera and Jr. S Tiffany Hess on 16 assists.
The Bulldogs return to Fresno next week to play two matches one of which is an away non-conference match against Fresno Pacific on Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. Fresno State will then take on Hawai'i again at home on Sept. 29 in the Save Mart Center at 7 p.m.
