Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Alabama
`Dogs Roll Tide 3-2
9/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 11, 2009
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - In the first-ever meeting between Fresno State and Alabama, the Bulldogs also played their first five-set match of the season. Fresno State won the first two sets and after Alabama took sets three and four, the `Dogs rallied to win set five and the match by scores of 25-16, 28-26, 16-15, 20-25 and 16-14. Fresno State is 6-1 on the season, tying its best mark since the 2004 season.
The Bulldogs are also on a four-match winning streak, their longest since 2003.
Fresno State took an early 9-4 lead in set one off of a service ace by Lacey Gera.
Alabama rallied to tie the set at 10-10, but the Bulldogs went on a run to take a 17-11 lead and would take set one 25-16 off of a Baylee Platt kill.
The Bulldogs were down early in set two 8-5.
Back-to-back service aces by Allanah Munson got the `Dogs within one at 10-9
The `Dogs would tie the set off of a kill by Platt and take the lead with a Munson service ace.
Back-to-back kills by Gera gave the `Dogs a 23-20 lead.
Alabama got two back to cut the lead to one, 23-22 and force a Fresno State timeout.
An Alabama error gave the `Dogs set point, but back-to-back Alabama kills tied the set at 24-24.
The set was tied at 25 and 26 then an Alabama service error gave the `Dogs set point and an error by Alabama gave the `Dogs the set two victory at 28-26.
Fresno State was down early at 5-2 and while the `Dogs got within four at 17-13, Alabama went on to take set three, 25-16 and to stay in the match.
Freshman Marissa Brand saw her first action of her career in set three.
Back-to-back aces by Lauren Berger tied set four at 6-6 and an Alabama error gave the Bulldogs a 7-6 lead.
The set was tied at 8-8 and 10-10. A block by Platt and Kelly Leonardo gave the `Dogs an 11-10 lead.
Alabama took an 18-15 lead and 22-18 lead and would win the set 25-20 to tie the match at 2-2.
Alabama took an early 7-4 third in the fifth and final set. Fresno State fought back to cut the lead to 10-8 with two Alabama errors.
The set was then tied at 10 and 11 and a kill by Leonardo tied the set at 12.
At match point for Alabama, a Berger kill tied the set at 14. Berger then served an ace to give the `Dogs match point.
Berger posted a new career-high with 13 kills to lead the team. Leonardo added 10 kills, a new season-high for the senior. Munson posted a double-double with 34 assists and 13 digs.
"We had some big kills and a couple of big blocks down the stretch," Berger said. "None of us let down and everyone had a positive attitude and I had no doubt that we were going to win."
Fighting Spirit
Lauren Berger and Allanah Munson were tonight's `Fighting Spirit' winners.
"The biggest reason that they received it was throughout the match we hit peaks and valleys and they were the only two to make a change," said head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell. "They helped us even when they were making errors. They also really led us in set five when the pressure was on. I was really, really proud of them."
The Bulldogs conclude play in the Hornet Invitational on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. vs. Sacramento State, followed by a match vs. San Francisco at 5 p.m.
"We Are Your Team" - The Bulldogs travel to Sacramento to participate in the Hornet Invitational Sept. 11-12. The Bulldogs take on Alabama on Friday at 5 p.m., and the take on Sacramento State (12:30 p.m.) and San Francisco (5 p.m.) on Saturday. The Bulldogs return to the Save Mart Center on Thursday, October 8 as they host Utah State at 7 p.m. It's Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night and all Fresno State faculty and staff receive FREE admission and can receive $2 admission for up to four guests. Tickets can be purchased through the Save Mart Center Box Office, by calling (559) 485-TIXS or through ticketmaster.com.
