Fresno State Athletics
Netherby-Sewell's 100th Victory Comes Against Aggies
10/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
LOGAN, Utah - The Fresno State volleyball team recorded its first Mountain West victory of the 2015 season over Utah State (3-1) at the Wayne Estes Center on Thursday. Head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell garnered her 100th victory at the helm of the Bulldog volleyball program.
"Utah State is always a tough place to play," Netherby-Sewell said. "They have boisterous fans and they always play well in their home gym. I was very happy that we grinded out that win. Although we had some ups and downs, we stayed steady from the service line and strong from the pass line which allowed us to come out on top with a four-set win."
In the most recent standings, Utah State (4-13, 0-3 MW) dropped to last place in the league standings with a previous pair of losses during the opening weekend of Mountain West play. Fresno State now owns a 9-7 overall record and are 1-1 in conference, while jumping to a fifth place standing among Mountain West competitors.
In her eighth season, Netherby-Sewell has compiled a 100-122 record at Fresno State and owns a 144-144 overall mark after a two-year stint as the head coach at Hofstra (43-19, 26-6 CAA).
"I would like to thank all of the staff member I've worked with over the years and my current staff for such great work and support, and of course all of the players who have worked hard to earn all of these wins," Netherby-Sewell said. "It's a team sport and I appreciate everyone involved."
Team-wise, Fresno State held the advantage in kills (54), attacks (144), assists (47), service aces (8), digs (56), block assists (20), points (72) and overall sideout percentage (63%). Utah State led in hitting percentage (.183) and block solos (1) over the `Dogs.
While coming from behind in all four sets, the Bulldogs took the opening set 25-19 before being outscored 25-15 to tie the game 1-1. Fresno State battled its way back, tying the match 16 times in the third set before making a six point run to gain a 2-1 advantage, and winning the game with a 25-20 fourth-set victory over the Aggies.
"The setters really stepped up tonight," Netherby-Sewell added. "We found a way to get them both on the court and they stayed very aggressive and involved in the game. Maggie [Eppright] stayed steady and defended a lot of balls for us while serving tough, so I'm proud of her as well."
Leading Fresno State's offense was senior Zana Bowens who accounted for her sixth double-double of the season with 12 kills and 15 digs coming against Utah State.
On defense, libero Maggie Eppright continued her nine-game double-digit dig figure streak, posting 20 in four sets, while outside hitter Carly Scarbrough held a team-high of five blocks. Eppright continues to pace the league in overall digs with 296 this season.
Starting setter Brooke Legaux had a team-high of 24 assists while splitting game time with senior Jelena Jovanovic who accounted for 14 of the `Dogs 47 total assists. While making an appearance in all four sets against the Aggies, Jovanovic tied for a second-best of four block assists while contributing to Fresno State's offensive effort with seven kills on the night.
From the service line, Fresno State tallied its second highest number of aces (8) against Utah State, just shy of the season-high (9) coming against Georgia State in August. Coates helped the `Dogs to a personal season-high of three service aces, while Legaux and Bowens posted two each.
Freshman Gertu Vider made her first collegiate appearance in the second set on Thursday, helping the `Dogs to three points, one assist and four blocks in her three set showing against Utah State. Freshman Sabrina Winslow made her ninth appearance as a Bulldog outside hitter to tie her personal season-high of three kills in two sets on Thursday.
Last season, the Bulldogs claimed a 3-2 victory over the Aggies at home, after falling 3-0 on the road in 2014. Utah State owns the all-time record of 14-12 over the Bulldogs.
Up next, the Bulldogs travel to Boise, Idaho to take on Boise State (Oct. 3) at 1 p.m. (PT), before returning to the Save Mart Center to face Nevada (Oct. 8) and San Diego State (Oct. 10) in the week following.
Boise State opened Mountain West play with a pair of losses coming against No. 25 Wyoming (3-0) and No. 20 Colorado State (3-2) last week. On Thursday, the Broncos tallied their first conference victory with a 3-1 win at home over UNLV.
Breast Cancer Awareness Night will be Thursday, Oct. 8 as Fresno State hosts Nevada at the Save Mart Center. Fans who wear pink will receive free admission in order to raise awareness to the cause, as several Central Valley organizations will be highlighted throughout the event starting at 7 p.m.
Fresno State will gain the home court advantage for exactly half of the 18-conference games, facing all 10 Mountain West opponents twice, excluding Wyoming and defending Champion Colorado State.
"Be Bold!" - Follow Fresno State Volleyball on Twitter (FresnoStateVB), Instagram (FresnoStatevball), Facebook (FresnoStateAthletics) and YouTube (FresnoStateAthetics).
