Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
San Francisco
Bulldogs Conclude Tournament Play in Sacramento
9/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 12, 2009
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Fresno State (6-3) concluded play at the Hornet Invitational in Sacramento Saturday night as they fell in three sets to San Francisco by set scores of 23-25, 20-25 and 23-25.
Down 10-4 in the first set, the Bulldogs got within three at 11-8 but USF would extend its lead to seven at 19-12.
Fresno State fought back to get within three at 21-18 and force USF to call a timeout.
Taylor Horton then got a kill followed by an ace by Lisa Gera as the `Dogs cut the lead to just one at 21-20.
After a second USF timeout, Gera served another ace to tie the set. After the set was tied at 22 and 23, USF took the set with a kill and a Bulldog error, 25-23.
Lacey Gera led the Bulldogs in the set with four kills.
Down 5-0 in set two, the `Dogs fought back with Kasey Van Grouw serving to take a 6-5 lead
The Bulldogs were up by as many as three at 9-6 before San Francisco tied the set at 10 which forced Fresno State to call a timeout.
USF took a 13-10 lead.
Down seven at 22-15, the `Dogs rallied to cut the lead to 23-19 and forced a USF timeout.
The Dons hung on though to win the set 25-20 and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
In the must-need set for the `Dogs, set three, the Bulldogs were down 4-1 but rallied to tie at 5 with an ace by Kelly Mason.
A kill by Lauren Berger gave the `Dogs the lead and a kill by Marissa Brand gave the `Dogs their biggest lead at 13-8.
USF got within two at 14-12 and forced Fresno State to take a timeout.
The Dons cut the lead to 14-13 but a USF service error gave the `Dogs a much-needed sideout.
A USF block tied the set at 16 and then a kill gave the Dons the lead at 17-16.
Kelly Leonardo ruined the first match point for the Dons with a kill, but the Dons would prevail to take set three 25-23 and the match.
Lacey Gera led the `Dogs with 12 kills in the match.
Berger was named to the all-tournament team after recording a career-high 17 kills in the opening match vs. Alabama.
Fighting Spirit
Tonight's `Fighting Spirit' went to Kelly Leonardo.
"We Are Your Team" - The Bulldogs travel south to participate in the Northridge/USC Tournament, Sept. 18-19. The Bulldogs take on Northridge Friday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. and Portland (12 p.m.) and USC (7 p.m.) on Saturday, Sept. 19. The Bulldogs return to the Save Mart Center on Thursday, Oct. 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.
