Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Long Island
'Dogs Split, Wild Earns All-Classic Nod
8/27/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
FRESNO, Calif. - The Bulldog volleyball team picked up its first win of the year with a 3-0 sweep against Long Island before falling 3-0 to No. 20 San Diego on Saturday to close Fresno State Classic play.
Sophomore Korrin Wild, who made her debut as the Bulldogs' libero this weekend after playing a variety of other roles last season, earned a spot on the Fresno State Classic All-Tournament Team for her leadership and defensive effort.
Fresno State's Head Coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell believes it is the right fit.
"Korrin is in a new position; it's a position of great responsibility," Netherby-Sewell noted. "Every practice leading up to the tournament, she gave exactly what we asked her to give and sometimes more. I was really just proud of her consistent effort."
Juniors Marissa Brand and Barbara Alcantara helped fuel Fresno State's sweep of Long Island University with double-doubles in the midday matchup with the Blackbirds.
Brand connected for 12 kills and added 13 digs while Alcantara tossed up 21 assists and had 11 digs during the 'Dogs first win of the season.
"Our newcomers will need to mature faster than they normally would because we need them," Neteherby-Sewell said. "I thought Ba did a fantastic job. She has a lot fight, she's a gameplayer and she's really going to help us this year."
Brianna Clarke and Jaimee-Lee Morrow each added 10 kills in the sweep as Clarke also had six blocks and tied Brand with 13.0 points for the team-high.
In the nightcap, Fresno State started strong against the Toreros before falling in straight sets.
"We're able to make plays that big time teams make," Netherby-Sewell said. "We just need to do it more often."
Wild, who also won this week's Fighting Spirit Award for her consistency and attitude, agreed with that sentiment.
"We need more consistency. We have signs of greatness and we have signs of needing a lot of work," Wild said. "So we're going to get in the gym on Monday and work hard and keep going up."
More than 1500 fans were in attendance throughout the day as San Diego took home the crown and the Toreros' sophomore middle blocker Chloe Ferrari, a native of Clovis, Calif., was named the Tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Netherby-Sewell was happy with the large fan turnout for the Dogs and opponents, who featured several local standouts on their rosters.
"We look forward to coming back home because it's just a great place, great fans and great band," Netherby-Sewell said.
The team travels to Sacramento next Friday for a two-day tournament the Hornets, Northridge and Marist.
Fresno State Classic All-Tournament Team
MVP: Chloe Ferrari, San Diego
Jennifer Keddy, Cal Poly
Kristina Graven, Cal Poly
Korrin Wild, Fresno State
Jessica Rice, Long Island
Carrie Baird, San Diego
Katie Hoekman, San Diego
Day 2 Results
No. 20 San Diego 3, Cal Poly 2
Fresno State 3, Long Island 0
Cal Poly 3, Long Island 0
No. 20 San Diego 3, Fresno State 0
"We Are Your Team!" - Stay connected with Fresno State Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@FSAthletics) and watch the Bulldogs all season at the Save Mart Center. The next chance to the 'Dogs at home is Sept. 22 when the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners make the trip up Highway 99 for a non-conference match. Tickets are available at www.gobulldogs.com.
