Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Nevada
Bulldogs Power Past Pack, 3-1
10/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
FRESNO, Calif. - Whenever Fresno State and Nevada take the volleyball court, you can always expect a dogfight and Saturday night was no different as the Bulldogs scored a key 3-1 (18-25, 25-21, 25-13 and 25-16) Western Athletic Conference victory.
The win propelled the 'Dogs to its first season sweep of Nevada since 2003. Fresno State also beat Nevada in thrilling fashion on Sept. 24 when the Bulldogs rallied for a 3-2 road victory that started WAC action this year for both teams.
"This was a game of serve and pass, and we did very well in the later part of the match," head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell said. "To beat a team twice in a season, which we did twice this week, is tough to do and I am really proud of how we played tonight."
Fresno State's Brianna Clarke (15 kills), Korrin Wild (14 kills) and Cecilia Agraz (10 kills) all reached double-digits on the attack.
"We are really coming together as a team," Clarke said. "We just need to keep working hard in the gym and sticking to our game plan. This is the time where we have to make that push to get to the WAC Tournament."
The Pack did jump ahead early with a 7-1 run to open the match and cruised to a 25-18 set one win.
But, the Bulldogs countered in the second set behind the power of a relentless attack and systematically efficient offensive execution en route to a 25-21 set two victory that evened the match at 1-1.
In the third, Fresno State responded from an 8-4 deficit, closed the gap at 13-13 and dominated the remainder of the frame with a lucky season-best 13 unanswered points for the 25-13 set win.
To finish off their fourth WAC victory this season, the 'Dogs dictated the pace of the fourth set and delivered a 25-16 punctuation mark to seal off the match.
For their efforts going 2-0 this week, as well as sweeping Fresno City College in an exhibition, Netherby-Sewell awarded her weekly Fighting Spirit Award to the team, which is the hope and goal for every week.
Nevada, who is coached by former Bulldog All-American Ruth Lawanson, fell to 4-16 on the season and 1-7 in conference play.
Fresno State (10-11, 4-4 WAC) continues its three-match WAC homestand next Thursday when No. 8 Hawai'i visits the Save Mart Center. The `Dogs also host San Jose State next Saturday. Both matches start at 7 p.m.
"We Are Your Team!" - Stay connected with Fresno State Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@FSAthletics). Fresno State will welcome No. 8 Hawai'i on Thursday and San Jose State on Saturday in two more conference contests to close the month of October. Tickets are available at the Save Mart Center Box Office.
