Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Boise State
Bulldogs Battle Broncos
11/13/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
By: Dayna Hill
daynah@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. -The `Dogs started week 8 of Mountain West play hosting the Broncos of Boise State.
The Broncos were able to edge out the Bulldogs by 25-21, 25-16, 25-15 counts in three sets for the second straight-set tilt between the teams since 2006. In the previous 14 meetings since then, the two teams had played 11 five-setters (with FS owning a 7-4 edge), and the teams split the other four-set tilts.
"I thought that we were playing really well in set one," said head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell. "Boise was digging up everything that we were hitting, and I think that might have rattled us at the start of the match. It is tough to be successful when we're playing out of position. We did a better job defending them this game, that is a small victory for us."
In the team standings, Boise State held edges in hitting (.297-.097), assists (38-37), and blocks (12-5), while Fresno State owned an edge in kills (39-38) and the teams were tied with 38 digs.
For the match, senior middle blocker Maci Murdock led the `Dogs in kills (10) and points (11.5) followed by senior outside hitter Jaimee-Lee Morrow who tallied 9 kills on the night.
Freshman Carly Scarbrough had the highest hitting percentage on the night (.412) and added seven kills. Sophomore libero Maggie Eppright added 14 digs for the `Dogs in the three set match.
Junior setter Jelena Jovanovic finished the night with a total of 25 assists and three digs while playing in a 6-2 rotation.
For the Broncos, individual statistical leaders include Alyssa Gammel (9 kills, 9 digs,and 9.5 points), Sierra Nobley (19 kills, .586, 5 digs, 20 points), Maddy O'Donnell (10 kills, .714, 3 blocks, 14 points), and Sarah Baugh (32 assists).
In the first set, the `Dogs put up a strong fight going back and forth in points with the Broncos. A huge kill by Morrow broke a run the Broncos were on and got the `Dogs within two points with score of 7-5. A kill for Murdock cut the Bronco lead 15-11 ignited the `Dogs who cut the Bronco lead to two, 17-15. That would be as close as the `Dogs would get to the Broncos in set 1, ultimately falling 25-21.
In the second set, Boise State jumped out to a 4-1 lead before a kill by Scarbrough to swing the momentum the Bulldogs' way making the score 4-2. The Broncos went on a 7-0 run before Fresno State called their second timeout of the match. Right out of the timeout freshman Taylor Brubaker landed a kill cutting the lead down to 11-3. A diybke block from Lauren Torres and Katie Pearson put a stop to the Broncos' run cutting the score 17-6. After a Bronco injury the `Dogs weren't able to get back on track ending the set down, 25-16.
In the final period, the Bulldogs came out of the break rejuvenated. The Bulldogs hung within 2-4 points the first seven points of the set. Fresno State's biggest run of three straight points made the score 11-7, just four points shy of the lead. The `Dogs fought hard, all the way to set point against Boise State, but weren't able to win the set and the match, 25-15.
Looking ahead, Fresno State hosts Utah State on Saturday, November 15 at 4 p.m. in the Save Mart Center.
"Be Bold!" - Watch every Bulldog conference match online at www.GoBulldogs.com/videos.
