Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
New Mexico State (WAC Tournament)
Bulldogs Play Well in WAC Tournament
11/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 15, 2007
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - As the No. 7 seed, the Fresno State Volleyball team gave the second seed and the No. 13 team in the country New Mexico State a tough fight in the opening round of the Western Athletic Conference Tournament, but the Aggies proved to be just too much in the end on their home court as they defeated the Bulldogs 3-0 Thursday night in Las Cruces, N.M. The game scores were 23-20, 25-30, 23-30.
The Bulldogs started out with a 2-1 lead in game one and with seven ties both teams kept it close early. At 8-8, freshman Kasey Van Grouw had a service ace to give the `Dogs the lead once again.
The largest lead for Fresno State was two at 13-11. New Mexico State then took the lead at 14-13. The Bulldogs would get to within four late 22-18, but were not able to catch up.
Senior Alisha McKee, who was just named to the second team All-WAC Wednesday night, led the Bulldogs with five kills in game one.
New Mexico State took the early lead in game two and this time it was the Bulldogs that fought back for the lead. Fresno State took a 4-2 lead then the Aggies went on a 6-0 run to regain the lead themselves. Each team would go on several mini-runs but neither team led by more than seven points.
Down 29-22, the Bulldogs fought back for three-straight points but the Aggies sealed game two off an error by Fresno State to take the 2-0 lead in the match at the break.
With six kills in game two, McKee tallied 11 in the first two games which gave her 300 for the season.
Game three was all New Mexico State as it was the first game in the match in which the Bulldogs did not have the lead at one point.
The Aggies came out strong and had an impressive lead early at 16-9, but behind the serving of Angela Wiggins, Fresno State fought back to get to within four at 18-14 and force a timeout to be called by the Aggies.
Out of the timeout the Aggies scored three-consecutive points and forced the Bulldogs to call a timeout of their own.
Points rallied between the two teams but New Mexico State pulled out the game three win and the match. The Aggies will play San Jose State in round two of the WAC Tournament tomorrow after the Spartans upset Utah State in an exciting five game match earlier in the evening.
Sophomore Lexi Watson led the team with a career-high 13 kills. Fresno State had 14.5 rebounds to just 11.0 for the Aggies.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The Bulldogs finish the season at the University of the Pacific Banker's Classic, Nov. 23-24 in Stockton, Calif. Tournament teams include, UOP, Fresno State, St. Mary's and Cincinnati.
