Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
New Mexico
`Dogs Defeated in Three by Lobos
10/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. -The Fresno State volleyball team fell 3-0 to New Mexico on Thursday night at the Johnson Center. The fourth week of conference play will be rounded out in Colorado Springs, Colo., as the `Dogs take on Air Force on Saturday at Falcon Court.
Fresno State was coming off a 1-1 record at home last week after sweeping Nevada in three and taking San Diego State to five, falling 3-2. The `Dogs own a 10-10 overall record and are 2-4 in conference play.
The Bulldogs sported a new starting lineup against the Lobos including middle blockers Lauren Torres and Taylor Slover, outside hitters Zana Bowens, Carly Scarbough and Sabrina Winslow, libero Maggie Eppright and setter Jelena Jovanovic. Winslow and Jovanovic both earned their first starts of the season facing New Mexico.
New Mexico gained an early 1-0 lead after set one, outscoring the `Dogs 25-21, and went on to grab set two (25-23), heading into the intermission with a 2-0 advantage. The Lobos came out on top in set three (25-22), serving the `Dogs only its third sweep this season and first during the regular season.
Thursday's match was tied on 27 occasions, with 13 coming in set two, and highlighted by the `Dogs leading the Lobos in kills (44), assists (41) service aces (3) and digs (40).
Individually, senior outside hitter Zana Bowens paced the team with 14 kills, scoring 14 points for Fresno State, while sophomore Carly Scarbrough and junior Aleisha Coates tied with a second-best 10 kills each.
After earning a starting position, Jovanovic logged a team-high of 24 assists with one kill and five digs over three sets. Defensively, libero Maggie Eppright had 14 digs while Coates trailed by eight, and freshman Taylor Slover logged the `Dogs lone block of the night. From the service line, defensive specialist Jaqueline Hutcheson, Coates and Eppright made up the `Dogs three aces against the Lobos.
Thursday's action marked the 21st all-time matchup between the Bulldogs and Lobos since 1988. New Mexico now owns the all-time record of 11-10 and the two programs are 2-2 since joining the league in 2013.
Up next, Fresno State returns to its home court on Tuesday, Oct. 20 to face UNLV (7 p.m.), before traveling to San Jose State to open the second round of the regular season against the Spartans on Saturday, Oct. 24.
UNLV has seen two conference defeats in five games, with a season record of 11-7. The Rebels are 1-4 in away matches with both of their MW losses coming on the road. San Jose State sports a 10-9 overall record and is 2-4 in conference play, with only one regular season victory at Spartan Gym. The two programs competed in a five-set Mountain West opener on Sept. 24, ending in a 3-2 decision in San Jose State's favor.
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