Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
California
Bulldogs Finish HGI Classic Play
9/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BERKELEY, Calif. - The Fresno State Bulldog volleyball team finished the 2010 Hilton Garden Inn Classic on Saturday with a 1-2 record for the two-day tournament at Haas Pavilion on the campus of the University of California.
Sophomore Marissa Brand led the `Dogs with 40 kills on the weekend in three matches and earned a spot the 2010 HGI Classic All-Tournament Team.
"Marissa has been a consistent outside hitter," Netherby-Sewell noted. "As she keeps getting better, she is going to be a fantastic outside hitter for us."
In day two action, the `Dogs dropped both their contests 3-0 to No. 10 California and UC Davis.
During the morning session, Fresno State fell to UC Davis on set scores of 14-25, 17-25 and 22-25.
The Bulldogs came out swinging in set one with junior Kelli Parker scoring the `Dogs first three points on three kills to help jolt Fresno State to a 10-6 lead. UC Davis then caught fire with an 11-0 run to send the Aggies ahead 17-10 and secured the three-game sweep led the UCD's Betsy Sedlak, who recorded a .550 hitting percentage with 11 kills on 20 attacks.
Junior Brianna Clarke continued her steady attacking with a .462 hitting percentage on six kills over 13 attacks against UC Davis. Kelly Mason dug 17 shots and Marissa Brand added seven kills in the meeting with the Aggies.
After an afternoon break, Fresno State returned to the hardwood for the `Dogs finale of the HGI Classic and a clash with host and tenth-ranked California. The Bulldogs and Bears battled to a 3-0 victory for No. 10 Cal by set scores of 12-25, 22-25 and 25-14.
Brand and Mason were recognized with the weekend's Fighting Spirit awards.
"They both showed the willingness to approach the coaches and ask for advice on how to perform better," Netherby-Sewell said of Brand and Mason. "They both put a solid effort in for the entire weekend."
Fresno State is now 3-5 on the season and 2-1 at neutral site contests. No. 10 California finished as the winners of the 2010 HGI Classic. The Golden Bears improved to 7-0 on the season and extended their set winning streak to 21 with their seventh straight 3-0 sweep.
"It was a day of highs and lows and I think we recovered well against Cal," Netherby-Sewell reflected. "We had a lack of leadership and internal issues causing performance anxiety, but we know the problems and we are working on fixing them."
The `Dogs will now head back home to Fresno, Calif. for a Friday night date with No. 8 USC, another Pacific-10 opponent, to open play at the Fresno State Invitational. The match between the Bulldogs and Trojans will start at 7 p.m. The two-day tournament also welcomes Sacramento State and Cal State Bakersfield to the Save Mart Center.
NOTES: Day Two of 2010 HGI Classic
• This was the 14th meeting between Fresno State and UC Davis in volleyball. The Bulldogs now hold an (8-5) edge against the Aggies in the overall series.
• This was the 27th meeting between Fresno State and California in volleyball. The Bears hold a 16-11 advantage in the overall series.
"We Are Your Team!" - The Bulldogs return to the Save Mart Center for the Fresno State Invitational on Sept. 17-18, 2010. The `Dogs will face No. 8 USC, Sacramento State and Cal State Bakersfield in the two-day tournament. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors/youth and free for Fresno State students. For more information, continue visiting www.gobulldogs.com.
