Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Utah State
Lacey Gera Powers `Dogs to Ninth Victory
10/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 8, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State volleyball team downed Utah State, 3-1, in Western Athletic Conference play on Thursday night at the Save Mart Center. The `Dogs got a much-needed win to improve to 9-7 overall and 2-2 in the conference while Utah State falls to 10-7, 2-3 (WAC). Lacey Gera powered the `Dogs with 14 kills (14-2-29, .414). The `Dogs won by set scores of 25-19, 15-25, 25-20 and 25-13.
The `Dogs victory in four sets made the first time they have beaten the Aggies in less than five sets since 1991.
Fresno State also closed in on the overall series as they trail by just one at 8-7.
"It's really nice to be home and have the rest and play in front of our home crowd," said head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell. "It's a payoff for our team to come home. They have been working really hard on the road so it's nice to be home and I thought we competed really well."
The 'Dogs came out of the gates strong with an early 3-0 lead in set one off of back-to-back kills by freshman Taylor Horton. Utah State rallied to take a 10-6 lead but the `Dogs tied the set at 15. A kill by Brianna Clarke gave the `Dogs the lead for good as they took the set on the first set point 25-19.
The Aggies evened the match by going out to an early 10 point lead in set two and hit a match-best for them .292 to win the set 25-15.
Gera dominated in set three with seven kills and Horton added four as the `Dogs hit a match-best .289 and took a 2-1 lead in the match. The `Dogs were down early (10-7) but took a 13-12 lead and had command of the set to get the 25-20 victory.
The `Dogs clinched the match with a set four victory in which Kelly Leonardo hit .750. The `Dogs were strong from the beginning and had an 11 point lead at 22-11 and won 25-13.
Gera's .414 clip was a new season-high for her. Also setting personal bests were Cecilia Agraz with one assist and two services aces, Lisa Gera with two attempts, Horton with six digs and Kelli Parker with two kills, three attempts, a .667 clip, one service ace, one dig, two block assists, 2.0 total blocks and four points.
As a team, the `Dogs defeated Utah State in every offensive category except one. The `Dogs had 51 kills, a .182 clip, 50 assists, eight service aces and 10.5 total blocks.
Fighting Spirit
The entire team won tonight's `Fighting Spirit' award.
"We all struggled and we all succeeded together," said Netherby-Sewell. "People who came of the bench came with vigor, spirit and those who didn't play gave just as much energy and I thought it as a full team effort tonight so I was really proud of them."
The `Dogs play again on Saturday as they host Idaho (7-9, 3-1 WAC) at 7 p.m. at the Save Mart Center. It is Breast Cancer Awareness Night as the first 100 fans through the door will receive a t-shirt and $1 of every ticket will go back to the Susan G. Komen Central Valley for the Cure. Fans are encouraged to wear pink.
"We know Idaho very well which helps but they know the same about us," Netherby-Sewell added. "We just made too many errors at the wrong time last week and didn't capitalize on the opportunity to win sets. I hope we learned from that and I think we have a good shot at that match."
"We Are Your Team" - It's Breast Cancer Awareness Night at the Save Mart Center on Saturday, October 10 when the Fresno State Volleyball Team hosts the Idaho Vandals at 7 p.m. The first 100 fans will receive a pink Fresno State t-shirt. Tickets can be purchased through the Save Mart Center Box Office, by calling 559-485-TIXS or through ticketmaster.com.
