Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
New Mexico State
Dogs Stay in Sixth After NMSU Match
11/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
FRESNO, Calif. - In the race for one of the remaining spots in the 2010 Western Athletic Conference Volleyball Tournament, Fresno State remained in a tie with Boise State for sixth place in the conference standings after the Bulldogs dropped a road contest at second-place New Mexico State 3-1 on Thursday evening in the Pan American Center.
Marissa Brand led the Bulldogs with 12 kills and Kelly Mason added 13 digs. Kelli Parker also launched double-figures in kills (10).
"Again, we had chances to win," head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell said. "If we expect to start winning big matches, we need closers - players that can execute basic skills at key moments. That is the only think we now lack."
After NMSU took the first set 25-20, Fresno State evened the tilt at 1-1 heading into intermission by staging a solid effort in the second set and securing a 25-22 set victory.
The Aggies regrouped at the break and outgunned the Dogs to put away a four-set win.
"Our middles played well tonight, but our ball control didn't allow them to make a big enough impact," Netherby-Sewell added.
Fresno State (10-14, 4-8 WAC) will look to complete their second season sweep of a WAC opponent this year on Saturday night in the road trip's finale at Louisiana Tech at 5 p.m.
After tonight's play, Fresno State is tied with Boise State for sixth in the standings. The Bulldogs own the head-to-head tiebreaker with Boise State since Fresno State swept both matches this season against the Broncos.
In other league action tonight, No. 5 Utah State (6-6) swept No. 6 Boise State (4-8) and previously winless Louisiana Tech (1-10) beat No. 8 San Jose State (3-9) by the score, 3-1, for their first win against a WAC opponent this year. No. 4 Idaho upset No. 3 Nevada on the road in a five-set thriller to move within a match of the third seed.
The top six schools qualify for the 2010 WAC Tournament in Las Vegas' Orleans Arena Nov. 22-24. The top two regular season finishers earn first-round byes. All-session tickets are available for $45 at www.gobulldogs.com or through The Bulldog Ticket Office at 559-278-3647.
Earlier in the day, Bulldog sophomore Cecilia Agraz earned the program's first ESPN Academic All-District 8 honors as a second-team selection.
"We Are Your Team!" --- After finishing a road swing at Louisiana Tech, Fresno State will face No. 5 Hawai'i in a Veterans' Day battle on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Save Mart Center.
