Fresno State Athletics
Five-Set Battle Caps Rocky Mountain Run
10/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
BOISE, Idaho -The Fresno State volleyball team capped it Rocky Mountain run at Boise State, falling to the Broncos 3-2 on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs now own a 9-8 overall mark and are 1-2 in Mountain West play.
"I was very proud of the team tonight," head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell said. "We came out on the short end of the stick but really played hard and battled. We had better performances from far more players tonight then we've had in the past, the team has seemed to buy into doing their jobs."
Fresno State was coming off its first conference victory, topping Utah State 3-1 while Boise State held a 1-2 conference record after beating UNLV at home on Thursday.
On Saturday, Fresno State was the category leader in hitting percentage (.233), digs (72) and overall sideout percentage (58%), while Boise State led the match in kills (70), assists (68), service aces (5) and overall blocks (20).
Boise State gained an early 1-0 lead over Fresno State, claiming the first set 25-20 in what was a close battle between the two programs. The Bulldogs battled the Broncos past regulation in set two, earning a 28-26 victory to tie the match 1-1.
Fresno State opened set three dominating the Broncos with a 9-1 initial lead and went on to post a season-best set score of 25-8 to grasp a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth set. Boise State owned the fourth set, 31-29 in what was another record breaking set as the ‘Dogs tallied their highest scoring set in 2015.
"We are played much more disciplined on defense," Netherby-Sewell added. "This match just came down to a few choices and a few errors at the wrong time. We got a little tentative in the fifth, but it was a great match. It's hard to lose two Mountain West matches in five sets as the team just battles their hearts out. Boise State is a good team, they went five against No. 20 Colorado State and we went five with them, so that could mean good things for us next time around."
Defensive standouts against the Broncos on Saturday included libero Maggie Eppright who dug a total of 23 balls while defensive specialist Jacqueline Hutcheson (13), Zana Bowens (17) and Aleisha Coates (10) additionally posted double-digit dig figures. Sophomore Lauren Torres was one of five Bulldogs that posted two or more blocks, with a team-high of four coming against Boise State.
Carly Scarbrough's offensive contribution of 22 kills against Boise State reset her personal career high, while Bowens logged her seventh double-double of the season with 14 kills and 17 digs, with a team-high of two service aces. Combined, the duo accounted for over half of Fresno State's total kills (66).
"Zana [Bowens] played out of her mind tonight," Netherby-Sewell added. "She passed well, dug a ton of balls, served tough and had one of her best attacking performances. Sabrina [Winslow] also came off the bench and made some good things happen so we'll be looking for more good things out of her."
Fresno State sported a new starting lineup, as Gertu Vider earned her first collegiate start against the Broncos after appearing on the court for the first time on Thursday. Vider helped the team to four kills, a pair of block assists and the ‘Dogs lone block solo of the day.
The score was tied 35 times during the five-set battle against Boise State, with 19 coming in the fourth set at Bronco Gym. This season, Fresno State has competed in four five-set matches including two during conference action.
Despite Saturday's loss to the Broncos, the Bulldogs continue to own the all-time record of 20-11 over Boise State, competing in 31 matches in a span of 20 years.
Up next, the Bulldogs return to the Save Mart Center to face Nevada on Thursday, Oct. 8 and San Diego State on Saturday, Oct. 10 for the third week of conference action.
Breast Cancer Awareness Night will be Thursday, Oct. 8 as Fresno State hosts the Wolfpack. 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.
The Bulldog volleyball program will welcome former players for the annual Alumnae Day on Saturday, Oct. 10 as the ‘Dogs host the Aztecs at 1 p.m. Homecoming weekend continues as Fresno State football takes on Utah State later that evening at Bulldog Stadium.
"Be Bold!" - Follow Fresno State Volleyball on Twitter (FresnoStateVB), Instagram (FresnoStatevball), Facebook (FresnoStateAthletics) and YouTube (FresnoStateAthetics).
