Fresno State Athletics
'Dogs Head to UNLV Classic
9/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 14, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State volleyball team is set to play its final three contests of an eight-match road stretch when the Bulldogs compete in the 2011 UNLV Classic.
Fresno State (4-4) will face UNLV on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and close the weekend on Saturday by playing the Big-12's Baylor Bears at 9:30 a.m. and the WCC's San Francisco Dons at 5 p.m.
Fresno State Weekly Notes: 2011 UNLV Classic 
Fresno State All-Time Record vs. Upcoming Opponents (Last Meeting)
• UNLV: Fresno State leads 4-1 (Sept. 17, 2004: W, 3-0)
• Baylor: First meeting (N/A)
• San Francisco: Fresno State leads 25-3 (Sept. 12, 2009: L, 3-0)
Bulldogs Split in Seattle, Brand's Kill Streak Continues
• Marissa Brand extended her double-digit kill streak to 11 consecutive matches
After falling in straight sets (25-14, 25-15 and 25-14) to then-No. 5 Washington, the Bulldogs regrouped to split a two-match trip to Seattle by shutting out the Redhawks (26-24, 25-19 and 25-18). Junior Marissa Brand tallied 10 or more kills in both matches to extend her streak to 11 straight double-digit kill efforts even as eight of the 11 were decided in three sets.
Brand Honored as WAC Player of the Week
• Brand currently is second in the WAC in kills (4.0 kps) and third in points (4.4 pps)
Fresno State junior outside hitter Marissa Brand earned her first WAC Player of the Week honor of the season and the second of her career for her play at the Sacramento State Invitational. Brand averaged 4.60 kills on .300 hitting, 3.10 digs, 0.50 blocks, and 0.50 service aces as she led the Bulldogs to a second-place finish with a 2-1 record. She has won two of the past four WAC weekly awards dating back to the final week of last season.
'Dogs Take 2nd, Duo Named to All-Invitational Team
• Marissa Brand and Brianna Clarke earned all-tournament team honors
Fresno State defeated Sacramento State (3-1) and Marist (3-0) en route to a second-place finish at the Hornet's annual invitational. The Bulldogs' lone loss in the two-day affair came to undefeated champion Cal State Northridge. Senior middle blocker Brianna Clarke and junior outside hitter Marissa Brand were named to the all-tournament team.
Wild Named to Fresno State Classic All-Tournament Team
• Fresno State took third place at its season and home opening tournament
Sophomore libero and team captain Korrin Wild earned a spot on the Fresno State Classic All-Tournament Team for her leadership and defensive effort. After the first weekend of play, Wild led the WAC in digs (65) and digs per set (5.91) as the 'Dogs took third in the annual four-team Classic with a 1-2 record. The Bulldogs' win came over Long Island (3-0) while the losses were to No. 20 San Diego (3-0) and Cal Poly (3-2).
Clarke Earns Another WAC Honor, Excited for Senior Season
• Senior Brianna Clarke is ranked in the top five in Bulldog history for career blocks
Fresno State senior middle blocker Brianna Clarke was honored for the second straight season as a Preseason All-Western Athletic Conference selection. Clarke, a Buchanan High School graduate, is also a two-time second-team All-WAC postseason honoree.
Volleyball Earns Back-to-Back Team Academic Awards
The American Volleyball Coaches Association has recognized the Fresno State volleyball program the past two seasons with their academic honor after the 'Dogs averaged a 3.30 grade point average. The award, which was initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors collegiate and high school volleyball teams for excellence in the classroom.
Fresno State Notable AVCA Facts:
• Fresno State was one of three NCAA D-1 schools in the state of California, along with Stanford and California, and one of 92 in the nation honored with the 2010-11 award.
• Fresno State was the only California State University to receive the honor in 2010-11.
• Fresno State is the only WAC school to earn the award in each of the past two years.
Fresno State Continues to Perform as the Premier WAC's Program
With its strong commitment to premier athletic competition and academic performance, Fresno State finished second in last two Western Athletic Conference Commissioner's Cup standings and remained the top program throughout the nine years of the award. The `Dogs rank first among the current WAC institutions, ahead of Nevada and Hawai'i as the top three WAC schools. Fresno State is also one of two repeat Cup winners (2007-08 & 2008-09), along with Rice University (2003-04 & 2004-05) and Boise State University (2009-10 & 2010-11).
Welty Accepts `Dogs Invitation to Join Mountain West Conference
President John D. Welty announced last summer that Fresno State accepted an invitation to become a member of the Mountain West Conference. The Bulldogs will leave the Western Athletic Conference after the 2011-12 season to compete against Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, TCU, UNLV, and Wyoming.
"Break the Bank" Volleyball Challenge
Fresno State students receive free admission to all Bulldog volleyball matches and are eligible to win $500 to The Bulldog Shop by attending the Sept. 22 match as part of the 2011 "Break the Bank" Challenge.
2011 Fighting Spirit Tracker
• Week 1: Korrin Wild
• Week 2: Marissa Brand (WAC POW)
• Week 3: No recipient honored
"We Are Your Team!" - Stay connected with Fresno State Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@FSAthletics). The next chance to see the 'Dogs at home is Sept. 22 when Bakersfield makes the trip north on Highway 99 for a non-conference match before starting WAC play on Sept. 24 at Nevada.
