Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Idaho
Dogs' Tourney Hopes End Despite Win
11/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
FRESNO, Calif. - After losing control of their own destiny, the Fresno State volleyball team suffered a heart-breaking realization that the Bulldogs will not qualify for the 2010 Western Athletic Conference Tournament despite the Dogs' fearless 3-1 road comeback victory at Idaho on Monday night and sophomore Marissa Brand's 12th double-double of the season.
"We just hit our stride, but too late," third-year head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell said. "It's disappointing to not have a shot in the tournament seeing how handily we took care of the number three team in the conference. But we'll go out winning."
The gritty effort in Moscow came as the Vandals took the opening set 25-17, yet Fresno State regrouped to win the next three straight sets (25-21, 25-18 & 25-20) and grabbed their sixth win against a WAC opponent this season.
Brand paced the Dogs with 16 kills and 15 digs. Sophomore Kelli Parker and junior Brianna Clarke both reached double figures in kills with 15 and 12, respectively. Senior Kelly Mason, a walk-on team captain, also chipped away for 15 digs herself.
"I was really proud of our performance tonight," Netherby-Sewell added. "We played steadily. All of our hitters gave something positive. Our serving and passing game was consistent. I tip my hat to our Bulldogs on a great win."
The Bulldogs' hopes to advance to the conference tournament ended when Boise State finished their regular season action with a 3-1 win against San Jose State to clinch the final berth in the 2010 WAC Tournament.
With one of the WAC's best outside hitters in Brand, the middle blocking power of Clarke and one of the hardest-working liberos in Mason, Fresno State will finish seventh in the final WAC regular season standings and well short of their high expectations back in August when the WAC head coaches predicted a third-place finish following an appearance in last year's conference tournament semifinals.
Fresno State (12-15, 6-9 WAC) returns home to the Save Mart Center for a special senior celebration on Thursday night when four Dogs play their final match in a Bulldog uniform. The match starts at 7 p.m.
"We Are Your Team!" --- It's time to celebrate the four-year careers of four Bulldog seniors - Lauren Berger, Kelly Mason, Meghan Moss and Kasey Van Grouw - on Thursday's Senior Night in the Save Mart Center. Tickets are available for $5 for adults, $3 for senior and youth and free for Fresno State students with their ID card.
