Fresno State Athletics
A Sign of Things to Come
1/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Jan. 21, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - With new head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell taking over the reigns in 2008 along with the hiring of assistants Ed and Alanna Jackson, the volleyball team had a new inspiration and new goals in spring practice. They lost three seniors from 2007's team but the addition of two local freshmen would spark the Bulldogs to some more wins and a new confidence.
Fresno State brought a tournament back to Fresno for the first time in three year's as the season opened with the Fresno State Invitational in the new configuration in the Save Mart Center.
The new floor is volleyball specific and with a black curtain halfway across the arena, the new intimate setting seats approximately 3,000.
The Bulldogs opened the season with a win over Cal State Bakersfield behind 19 kills by freshman Brianna Clarke. Clarke and fellow high school teammate and freshman Baylee Platt would have breakout seasons for the `Dogs. Both were named to the All-WAC Freshmen team, the first time that two Bulldog freshmen had been named in the same season.
"Great progress was made in the 2008 volleyball season," Netherby-Sewell said. "Our Bulldogs spent four months working, learning and fighting through challenges. Through that time of learning, we found a young team with the weight of years past, putting themselves in positions to win. With more experience and a spring of training with a full staff, we're confident those close calls will turn into wins."
Platt ended the season as the team leader with 318 kills while Clarke had 238 of her own after both missed several matches due to injuries.
Fresno State opened everyone's eyes at the Wisconsin-Green Bay Tournament as the Bulldogs defeated Northern Arizona in four sets. Then, while the Bulldogs fell in tight five-set matches to the host UW-GB and the Drake Bulldogs, they showed a lot of fight and the ability to stay close in matches and even fight back.
After sitting out a year due to transferring from cross-town Fresno Pacific, junior setter Allanah Munson also had a great season. She had 971 assists and her 9.43 per game average ranks her eighth in the Fresno State top 10 career record books.
The libero position also brought out a star in the making as Meghan Moss took over for the Bulldogs in WAC opening win at Louisiana Tech. She led the team with 251 digs on the season.
That victory on the road at La. Tech was the first of two-straight road WAC wins for the Bulldogs who, five days later, they would defeat in a thrilling five-set victory.
The Bulldogs would then defeat Louisiana Tech once more in the regular season and in the opening round of the WAC Tournament, which for the first time ever was held in Honolulu, Hawai'i. The season would end though with a four-set loss to No. 1 seed New Mexico State.
Netherby-Sewell also added something new to the program, a very special award she brought with her from her mentor at Hofstra called the `Fighting Spirit Award.' This award was given out at the conclusion of every match to the student-athlete that best portrayed a `fighting spirit' in that specific competition. At the end of the season, the student-athlete with the most individual awards was named the season winner and the first-ever Fresno State winners were Allanah Munson and Baylee Platt.
With a 7-20 overall record and a 3-13 record in conference play, the Bulldogs recorded the most wins in three years and are expecting more W's in the near future. With no seniors on the 2008 team and two freshmen expected to come in and make an immediate impact, they are looking to 2009 and beyond and to only improve upon what they learned the past season.
"At the conclusion of season, the supportive community recognized our improvements in skill and competitive spirit," Netherby-Sewell added. "The team came away from season with eagerness to get back in the gym with their committed staff - that's a terrific sign. When coaches in your own conference say things like, "We don't want to play you next year," we know we're doing something right."
Next up for the Bulldogs is spring practice in which they will participate in some spring tournaments. When more information is available it will be posted here on www.gobulldogs.com.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - For ticket information click the icon on the top of the page. For information on Bulldog volleyball in the offseason stay logged on to www.gobulldogs.com.
