Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Utah State
Bulldogs Win Thriller in Logan
9/25/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 25, 2008
LOGAN, Utah - After leading the match 2-0, the Fresno State Bulldogs had to fight off the Utah State Aggies in Logan, Utah Thursday night in five sets, by set scores of 25-22, 25-22, 17-25, 13-25 and 15-13. Fresno State improves to 5-7 on the year and 2-1 in WAC play.
"I was really happy to see the progress we made because winning two back-to-back sets early in the match hasn't been something we have done this year," said Netherby-Sewell. "The fact that we were poised enough to win the fifth set was very impressive."
Fresno State took the first lead of the match at 1-0. Utah State would be up by as many as four at 7-3. After a kill by Brianna Clarke, the Bulldogs would tie the match at 10. The `Dogs would have their largest lead of the set at three on two separate occasions.
Utah State tied the set again at 17 before the `Dogs re-took a two point lead at 19-17 which forced Utah State to take its first timeout of the match.
The Aggies would cut the match down to one at 22-21 but a kill by Kelly Leonardo gave the `Dogs a 23-21 lead and forced USU to take another timeout.
Fresno State had two set point opportunities but the Aggies cut it to 24-22 in which Fresno State head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell called her first timeout of the match.
On the third set point chance for the Bulldogs, they got some help from Utah State as they had a service error for a 25-22 Fresno State set one win.
Leonardo led the `Dogs in set one with a perfect 1.000 hitting percentage, four kills on four attempts. As a team, Fresno State hit .139 in the set while Utah State hit .118.
Utah State struck first in set two with a 2-0 lead. The Aggies would be up by as many as four at 10-6 which forced Fresno to take a timeout.
An ace by Allanah Munson tied the set at 10.
Utah State then score seven of the next 10 points to take a 17-13 lead which forced another Bulldog timeout.
A Leonardo kill cut the Aggie lead to just one at 19-18 in which USU called a timeout.
Fresno State took the lead at 20-19 then again at 21-20.
The Bulldogs converted on their second set point chance off a kill by Clarke for a 25-22 victory.
Out of the break Utah State went on a huge run and hit .259 in set three for a 25-17 victory. Liz McArthur had five kills in the set to lead the Aggies who were up by as many as 12.
Utah State continued it hot steak wit ha 4-0 lead to start set four. The Aggies would expand their lead to 20-9 and go on for the 25-13 victory and set four win to send the match to five.
Fresno State came out quick in set five for a 8-5 lead and took an 11-6 lead after back-to-back service aces.
Utah State would fight back to tie the set at 12 before a kill by Baylee Platt gave the `Dogs the one-point lead. A block by Leonardo then gave the `Dogs set point at 14-12.
A service error gave the Aggies back a point and at 14-13, a kill by Clarke gave the `Dogs the 15-13 set and match victory.
Clarke led the 'Dogs with 16 kills and Leonardo had a season-high 12 kills.
This is the first win for Fresno State over Utah State since Oct. 12, 2006, also a five-set thriller.
Fresno State hosts its WAC home opener on Saturday (Sept. 27) vs. the Spartans of San Jose State at 7 p.m. at the Save Mart Center. It's picture night at the Save Mart Center on Saturday after the match. Bring your camera and you can take pictures with your favorite Bulldog volleyball players on the west concourse.
"The win means a lot because it shows we have confidence and we can play well," Netherby-Sewell said. "If we play well we have a really good shot of beating San Jose State on Saturday. It will be a battle but it is good to get home."
Fighting Spirit Award
Tonight's Fighting Spirit Award went to Kelly Leonardo.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The next home match is Saturday, September 27 against San Jose State in the WAC home opener. It's Team Picture Night so bring your camera and get your picture taken with your favorite Bulldogs after the match. Tickets are on sale now through the Save Mart Center Box Office, by calling (559) 485-TIXS or online at ticketmaster.com.
