Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Pacific
`Dogs Finish Second at Invitational
8/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 29, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - After two sweeps to open the Fresno State Invitational over Green Bay and Cal State Bakersfield, the Fresno State volleyball team took the early lead vs. Pacific in the championship match, but the Tigers went out as the tournament champions with a 3-1 victory (19-25, 25-16, 25-19, 25-19) Saturday night at the Save Mart Center on opening weekend.
The Bulldogs (2-1), won the first set against the Tigers which was the first such victory for Fresno State over Pacific since 2005.
Fresno State was led by Lacey Gera with 13 kills while Baylee Platt added 10, respectively. Platt completed the double-double with 10 digs. Fresno State out-blocked Pacific 9.0 to 5.0.
Kelly Leonardo was perfect for the `Dogs in the first set (4-4, 1.000). Platt also added four kills in set one.
The `Dogs took their biggest lead of the night at the time at 12-9 off a Leonardo kill. Pacific would tie the match five times, but never re-take the lead as Fresno State got kills from Brianna Clarke, Lauren Berger and Gera down the stretch to secure the first set victory.
Pacific took early control of sets two and three and never looked back. The Bulldogs would make late rallies in each set, but Pacific held on each time to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
The Bulldogs showed life in the fourth set, taking an early 12-9 lead off of a Gera kill.
Pacific would tie the set at 13, and go on a 12-7 run to take the match.
Cal State Bakersfield defeated Green Bay 3-2 in the third place match earlier in the evening.
Fighting Spirit Award
Lacey Gera was named the winner of the 'Fighting Spirit' for the Pacific match.
All-Tournament Team
Green Bay - Whitney Schott
Cal State Bakersfield - Alysia Baker
Fresno State - Lacey Gera
Fresno State - Kelly Mason
Pacific - Olivia Riley
Pacific - Dancyne Kama
MVP - Pacific - Rebekah Torres
Team Standings
Pacific 3-0
Fresno State 2-1
CSUB 1-2
Green Bay 0-3
"I've never seen Lacey play that steady and do so much for us, not only as an attacker but as a server," said head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell. "Seeing her mature and have a more well-rounded game helps us tremendously."
"Kelly Mason switched into a new role this weekend and I think she played it really well," added Netherby-Sewell. "She was confident and she helped us just dig balls."
The Bulldogs hit the road for the first time this season as they head to the Wyoming Invitational on Sept. 5-6.
"We Are Your Team" - The Fresno State Volleyball team will be heading to Wyoming to participate in the Wyoming Invitational on September 4th and 5th. On Friday the 4th they will be facing North Dakota at 11am and Montana State at 4pm. The Bulldogs will be taking on Wyoming at 6pm on Saturday the 5th. Single game tickets can now be purchased through the Save Mart Center Box Office, by phone (559-485-TIXS) or online at Ticketmaster.com.
