Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Nevada
Brand and Parker Lead `Dogs vs. Wolf Pack
11/9/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 9, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State started the match with a bang, but in the end, Nevada got the best of the Bulldogs as the Wolf Pack took the match 3-1 by set scores of 14-25, 25-20, 25-21 and 26-24 in Western Athletic Conference play Monday night at the Save Mart Center.
The Bulldogs drop to 12-13 on the year and 5-8 in the WAC standings.
The Bulldogs came out on fire in the first set, hitting .389 and were led by junior Lauren Berger (5-1-7, .571) and freshman Marissa Brand (3-0-7, .429). Four Bulldogs hit .375 or higher in the set. Allanah Munson had eight assists and Kelly Mason added eight digs.
There was one tie at 2-2, but the `Dogs went on an 8-1 run to take a 10-3 lead with a kill by Berger. Fresno State just continued to roll from there, taking set one by 11 points.
Set two was just the opposite as Nevada hit .242. Brianna Clarke added five kills for the `Dogs. There was one tie, again at 2-2, but this time Nevada took a lead by as many as seven at 14-7. The `Dogs fought back within two with an ace by Kelli Parker at 22-20, but Nevada went on a 3-0 run to take the set and tied the match.
The third set was a see-saw battle with 10 ties and four lead changes. A kill by Parker tied the set at 17 but a Bulldog error gave Nevada the lead for good. The `Dogs got within one, 21-20, but it wasn't enough as Nevada took the 2-1 lead in the match.
Parker added five more kills in the fourth set which saw nine more ties and four lead changes. The `Dogs were down early and throughout much of the set but tied the set at 20 off of a Nevada error. Kills by Parker and Brand gave the `Dogs the lead and a kill by senior Kelly Leonardo gave the `Dogs set point at 24-23.
Nevada however, rallied for two-straight points to take the set and the match.
With 33 assists and 13 digs, it was the seventh double-double for Munson of the season. Parker recorded her first career double-double with 16 kills and 11 digs. Mason finished with 22 digs.
Brand also posted career-highs in kills (10), attempts (28), assists (1), digs (8), block assists (3), total blocks (3) and points (11.5).
The `Dogs won the dig category with 71 compared to just 51 for Nevada.
Fresno State takes on Louisiana Tech on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Save Mart Center in a must-win match for the `Dogs to stay in contention for the WAC Tournament.
"My hope is that with some rest and recovery that we play rejuvenated and determined on Thursday to stay in good standings in the WAC," said head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell. "Our first ball contacts and serving will remain our focus as we try to recover from a very tough loss."
"We Are Your Team" - Don't miss your Bulldogs when they take on the Lady Techsters at the Save Mart Center on Thursday, November 12, at 7 p.m. It's "Take a Kid to the Game" Night and all kids in the 8th grade or below will receive free admission when accompanying a paid adult. Then, on Saturday, November 14, the `Dogs will be hosting their last home match of the 2009 season when the New Mexico State Aggies come to town. Tickets can be purchased through the Save Mart Center Box Office, by calling 559-485-TIXS or through ticketmaster.com.
