Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Nevada
Van Grouw Posts Career-High 12 Kills In Reno
10/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 16, 2008
RENO, Nev. - Much like the match played between Fresno State and Nevada in Fresno last weekend, the one in Reno Thursday night was also close, with the Wolf Pack prevailing in four sets by set scores of 23-25, 25-21, 27-25 and 25-11. Fresno State is now 5-12 overall and 2-6 in the WAC.
Set one set the tone for a match that was going to be close, coming down to the wire with the `Dogs winning 25-23 off a kill by freshman Brianna Clarke. The set was tied at 23 after the Bulldogs had their largest lead at 16-13.
Baylee Platt led the `Dogs in set one with four kills on six attempts and as a team Fresno State hit .226.
With 13 ties in set two, Fresno State and Nevada battled back-and-forth again with neither team having a lead larger than two until the Wolf Pack took a 22-19 lead and held on for a 25-21 victory to tie the match at 1-1.
Out of the break in set three, Nevada took control early for a 10-5 lead. Fresno State fought back to tie the set at 13 and would then take its largest lead at 21-19 off a service ace by Meghan Moss.
After a timeout by Nevada, back-to-back kills by Lacey Gera and Lauren Berger gave the `Dogs a 23-19 advantage. Nevada then recorded back-to-back kills of its own to cut the lead to within two at 24-22.
Fresno State would then take a timeout and Nevada would tie the set at 24 after an error by the Bulldogs and a service ace.
Back-to-back kills by Nevada would give the Wolf Pack the 27-25 set three win and a 2-1 advantage in the match.
Nevada took a 5-0 lead in set four and never looked back, leading by as many as 14, as they went on to take set four and the match.
The Bulldogs were led by Kasey Van Grouw who posted a career-high 12 kills and added 10 digs for a double-double. Berger added 11 kills, just two shy of her career-high.
"I felt like even though we lost we had a really good match," Van Grouw said. "Some of the things we worked on in practice this week really came out in the match tonight."
Fighting Spirit Award
Tonight's 'Fighting Spirit Award' went to Kelly Leonardo and Lauren Berger.
The Bulldogs return to action at the Save Mart Center on Saturday at 7 p.m. as they host Utah State, a team they earned their second conference win against back on Sept. 25 in Logan, Utah.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs welcome Utah State to the Save Mart Center on Saturday, October 18 for a 7 p.m. match. It's Youth Volleyball Night and all youth volleyball teams 8th grade and under receive $2 admission to the match when wearing their team uniforms. There will also be a post-match autograph session with the team. Tickets are on sale now through the Save Mart Center Box Office, by calling (559) 485-TIXS or online at ticketmaster.com.
