Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Louisiana Tech
Berger Has Career-High in WAC Win
9/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 20, 2008
RUSTON, La. - Behind a career night with 13 kills by Lauren Berger (13-23, .478), Fresno State picked up its first Western Athletic Conference win of the season at Louisiana Tech 3-1 Saturday afternoon by set scores of 25-15, 23-25, 25-14 and 25-21. Fresno State improves to 4-7 on the season and 1-1 in WAC play.
"More than enjoying the win we really figured out the discipline we need to have to play well and we played well tonight and that is what I am really happy with," said head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell.
Set one was tied early and often at 1, 2, 4 and 5. Fresno State would get its first lead at 5-4 and its largest lead to that point of four at 10-6 which forced La. Tech to take a timeout. Fresno State would then take a five point lead at 16-11 after a Baylee Platt kill. A 19-12 Bulldog lead forced another La. Tech timeout. Fresno State went on to win set one 25-14. The Bulldogs hit an impressive .355 in set one led by both Kelly Leonardo and Platt who hit a perfect 3-for-3 (1.000). Berger was also 6-for-7 (.857).
"Lauren Berger had a great match," said Netherby-Sewell. "She worked hard tonight and saw great outcomes because of it."
Fresno State struck early in set two and had an early 13-7 lead which forced a timeout by La. Tech. 15-11 timeout Fresno State. La. Tech cut the lead to just two at 18-16. With Fresno State up 20-16 La. Tech would take another timeout. At 22-20, Fresno State would then take a timeout. Points then rallied between the two teams before La. Tech cut it to within one at 23-22 and then tied the set at 23. An error by the Bulldogs gave La. Tech its first set point of the match and the Lady Techsters converted to win 25-23.
La. Tech took a 2-0 early lead in set three. A kill by Platt gave the `Dogs their first lead of the set at 3-2. Fresno State would take a 9-5 lead and force La. Tech to call a timeout. A kill by Berger gave the `Dogs a 12-7 lead and forced another timeout for La. Tech. Fresno State would get back-to-back aces for a 18-10 lead. After a service ace by Tairyn Rasmussen the `Dogs had their first set point at 24-11. They would win the set, 25-14 on a kill by Platt.
With a 2-1 lead in the match for Fresno State the Bulldogs took their first lead in set three at 5-4. Fresno State had its largest lead at 12-6. La. Tech went on a rally to cut the lead to 15-13 but Fresno State would get the points back and go on to win the set, 25-21, and the match.
Platt led the `Dogs with 14 kills and completed a double-double with 12 digs. Leonardo also tied a season-high with 10 kills. Allanah Munson had her second-straight double-double with 45 assists and 13 digs. Meghan Moss started at libero for the first time this season and tied a career-high with 20 digs.
"Meghan Moss stepped into the libero roll and tonight was a test to where we are going as a program," Netherby-Sewell said. "She became a libero tonight. At one point she knocked down Baylee to pick up a ball that she knew was hers and that's what a libero does. She knows her role and is very agressive on defense. She also kept our ball control under control and helped us become more effective on offense."
Fighting Spirit Award
Tonight's Fighting Spirit Award went to the entire team. Coach Netherby-Sewell said, "It is rare that the whole team will get the award because there are usually a couple of people on a team who arn't picking up their end of the bargain but this really was a full team effort."
Next Up
The Bulldogs continue WAC road play as they travel to Utah State to take on the Aggies on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The Fresno State Volleyball team continues WAC play on the road as they battle Utah State on Thursday, September 25 at 6:00 pm. The next home match is Saturday, September 27 against San Jose State in the WAC home opener. Tickets are on sale now through the Save Mart Center Box Office, by calling (559) 485-TIXS or online at ticketmaster.com.
