Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Fresno Pacific (Exhibition)
`Dogs Battle Fresno Pacific to Five Sets
9/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 23, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - In the annual exhibition match between Fresno State and Fresno Pacific at the Special Events Center on the campus of FPU, the Bulldogs made history by winning their first-ever sets against the Sunbirds but fell in a heartbreaking five-set match by scores of 25-12, 23-25, 23-25, 25-15 and 15-12.
This was the fifth match between the two teams and the previous four matches with 3-0 sweeps by the Sunbirds.
"People are impressed with our improvement which I agree with but we should have the expectation to put together three good sets in a match," said head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell.
Fresno Pacific got off to a hot start with a 7-0 lead. The Bulldogs' first point was a kill by Lauren Berger.
The Sunbirds took a lead by as many as 13 (23-10). On the first set point, a kill by Kelly Leonardo kept the Bulldogs alive, but FPU came back to take the set 25-12.
FPU hit .519 with 15 kills in set one. Kelly Mason had six digs to lead the `Dogs.
Freshman Cecilia Agraz made her first appearance of the season as she started set two for the Bulldogs.
Fresno State took an early 2-1 lead off of a service ace by Allanah Munson.
Down 15-10, a kill by Taylor Horton got the Bulldog back in the set. An FPU error tied the set at 16-16.
Fresno Pacific then went on a 19-16 run before kills from Berger, Leonardo and an ace by Meghan Moss got the Bulldogs within one (23-22).
A kill by Lisa Gera tied the set at 23 and an attack error by FPU gave the `Dogs their first set point. A block by Brianna Clarke and Marissa Brand gave the `Dogs the set two victory 25-23 to tie the match 1-1.
The Bulldogs held FPU to a mere .057 hitting percentage.
Fresno State took set three by the same score, 25-23 while hitting a match-high .167. The `Dogs had the early lead in set two and were up by as many as three (12-9).
Fresno Pacific rallied to tie the set at 12. Points rallied until the end when a kill by Clarke and a block by Clarke and Berger gave the `Dogs the set.
The Sunbirds looked strong again in set four to take an 18-10 lead and came away with a 25-15 set victory and tied the match at 2-2 to force the deciding fifth set.
Fresno Pacific took the early lead in set five but the `Dogs rallied to tie the set at 6 and 12. An FPU kill, ace and kill won the set and the match for the Sunbirds.
Leonardo led the `Dogs with 11 kills and a .533 clip. Munson recorded a double-double with 21 assists and 10 digs.
Since it is an exhibition match, the stats and result of the match do not count in player's season or career statistics or in the team's win/loss record.
Fighting Spirit
Kelly Leonardo, Marissa Brand and Cecilia Agraz were tonight's `Fighting Spirit' winners.
"I'm really proud of Kelly tonight," said Netherby-Sewell. "Out of all of the returners she has really turned a corner and is able to give us consistency and a great attitude even when the team is playing poorly. The two freshmen really stabilized us when the returners were tight in set one and calmed us down. For them to go up against an aggressive team and perform well made me proud."
"We Are Your Team" - 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.
