Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Arizona State
Bulldogs Fall to ASU
8/25/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 25, 2012
By Theresa Kurtz
tkurtz@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
EL PASO, Texas - The Fresno State volleyball fell to Arizona State in three-straight sets (22-25, 11-25, 19-25) in its second game of the El Paso Sports Commission Invite. The Bulldogs are 1-1 on the year and in the season opening tournament.
"It was a missed opportunity, but a great lesson early in the season," said head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell. "ASU's come back in set one when they won the last five points deflated our confidence. They won the serve and pass battle and our offense struggled."
Redshirt junior Marissa Brand led the team with 11 kills and was a dig short of a double-double for the second game in a row. Libero Christina Lee dished up a team-high 10 digs for the `Dogs and senior Barbara Alcantara served up 24 assists.
The Bulldogs opened the match with aggressive attacking from Brand, Megan Callahan and Maci Murdock. A set from Barbara Alcantara to Murdock, who tipped the ball over for a kill giving the `dogs a 9-6 lead in the first set.
Callahan and Murdock both hit .500 in the first set after converting three of four attempts. The Sun Devils rallied and came from behind to take the first set 25-22. ASU took a 2-0 lead heading into the intermission after winning the second set 25-11.
"We need to learn how to keep pressure on with our serve, even if we are struggling ourselves to side out," added Netherby-Sewell. "We will move forward and figure it our next match against a similar team."
Fresno State was down 3-1 to start the third set and back-to-back kills by Wild brought the Bulldogs within one of the Sun Devils. Arizona State pulled ahead taking the lead by as many as seven points.
Behind the serving of freshman Zana Bowens, the Bulldogs went on a 4-0 run to cut the Sun Devils lead to 19-16 in the third set. Bowens recorded the lone service for the `Dogs.
Arizona State won the fifth set 25-19 winning the match in three straight sets. Alcantara and Bowens were named teh Fighting Spirit Award winners for the match.
The Bulldogs conclude the El Paso Sports Commission Tournament against Idaho State at 4:30 p.m.
"Discover Fresno State Volleyball!"-- Catch the action on 790 ESPN The Deuce, which is the flagship radio station for Bulldog Volleyball. Remember to vote every day for Fresno State at www.ESPN.com/CollegeColorsDay and wear your Bulldog red on Aug. 31 for College Colors Day.
