Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Louisiana Tech
Fresno State Picks Up Win vs. Lady Techsters
11/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 1, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - Baylee Platt, Lacey Gera and Kelly Leonardo helped lead the Bulldogs to their sixth-straight victory over Louisiana Tech on Saturday night in Western Athletic Conference action at the Save Mart Center, winning in four sets by scores of 26-24, 25-22, 23-25 and 25-17.
At 6-15 overall and 3-9 in WAC play, the Bulldogs now have exceeded their win total from the 2007 season and equaled their WAC win total. This is the second-straight match the Bulldogs have defeated La. Tech in four sets. Tonight's match also was the first WAC home win of the 2008 season for Fresno State and the second home win of the year.
"I'm sure it feels good to the team because they have been working really hard," said head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell. "We are eager for another win."
Fresno State looked good early in set one, hitting a match-high .209 and leading by as many as seven on three different occasions. Louisiana Tech however, fought off the Bulldogs match-point six times, actually tying the match at 24, before a Gera kill sealed the set one victory. Gera had seven kills in set one alone and Leonardo added four, as the two of them each hit .429.
In set two, the Bulldogs got off to another quick start, up by six at 14-9. La Tech once again fought back to cut the Bulldog lead to within two at 24-22, but another Gera kill would give the `Dogs a 2-0 advantage in the match.
When it looked like the match was going to be a sweep for the Bulldogs with them up 23-18 in set three, the Lady Techsters would score seven-straight points to win the set 25-23 and avoid the sweep.
The Bulldogs looked determined in set four to seal the match, taking their biggest lead of the night of 10 at 13-3 and 14-4. The match would end on a kill by Platt at 25-17.
With 24 total kills, a .348 hitting percentage, four block assists, three total blocks and 24 points, Platt recorded career-highs in all five of those categories.
"All of our hard work is starting to pay off," Platt said.
Gera had a season-high in kills (17), points (21.0) and total blocks (3.0), along with career-high's in digs (10) and block solos (2.0).
"I wanted to leave everything on the court tonight," Gera said.
Leonardo also tied season-highs with 12 kills, just one shy of her career-high set in 2007, and in points with 15.0.
Kasey Van Grouw also tied a career-high with four block attempts and a season-high with two total blocks.
As a team, the Bulldogs set a new season-high in a four-set match with 72 digs, led by Kasey Van Grouw with 12, followed by Lisa Gera and Meghan Moss with 11 each.
Fresno State as a team finished with 59 total kills, a .165 hitting percentage, 55 assists, and 72 digs, all categories in which they led Louisiana Tech.
The Bulldogs return to action next Saturday, Nov. 8, as they host WAC rival New Mexico State in the Save Mart Center.
Fighting Spirit Award
Tonight's `Fighting Spirit Award' went to Lacey Gera, Baylee Platt, Kelly Leonardo, Allanah Munson and Meghan Moss.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs continue WAC play at the Save Mart Center Saturday, November 8 against New Mexico State at 7 pm. It's 80's Theme Night and also show your Nevada football ticket at the Save Mart Center box office to receive FREE admission to the match. Tickets are on sale now through the Save Mart Center box office, by calling (559) 485-TIXS or online at ticketmaster.com.
