Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Open Three-Game Homestand
11/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
Thursday, Nov. 12
Fresno State vs. Air Force – 7 p.m.
Records: Bulldogs (13-14, 5-8 MW), Falcons (11-17, 4-9 MW)
Location: Fresno, Calif. (Save Mart Center)
Coverage: Live Video, Live Stats, ESPN Radio
Saturday, Nov. 14
Fresno State vs. New Mexico – 1 p.m.
Records: Bulldogs (13-14, 5-8 MW), Lobos (14-12, 7-6 MW)
Location: Fresno, Calif. (Save Mart Center)
Coverage: Live Video, Live Stats
Bulldog Outlook
The Fresno State volleyball team looks to bounce back from a two-match deficit on the road last week. The Bulldogs (13-14, 5-8 MW) host Air Force on Thursday (7 p.m.), followed by New Mexico on Saturday (1 p.m.) at the Save Mart Center. With an overall record of 8-6 on their home court this season, three of the team's victories have come during conference this season while hosting Nevada (3-0), UNLV (3-2) and Utah State (3-0). Up next, the ‘Dogs will round out its longest conference homestand on Wednesday, Nov. 18 for Senior Night against Wyoming.
Approaching the eighth week of conference play, senior Zana Bowens leads the team offensively with 150 kills (3.12 p/s) and 165.5 points while set most consistently by junior Brooke Legaux who has tallied 277 assists (5.89 p/s). Junior outside hitter Aleisha Coates paces the team from the service line with 13 aces (0.25 p/s) and sophomore middle blocker Lauren Torres holds a team-high of 35 blocks (0.80). Bulldog libero Maggie Eppright averages 4.62 digs with a total of 240 over 52 sets as the team's defensive standout this season.
Senior Sendoff
With two of the remaining three home games this week, Bulldog fans can help cheer on the team while participating in Salute to Services on Thursday along with Kids Club Day on Saturday in anticipation for next week's Senior Day. For the complete marketing calendar and details, visit the 2015 Promotion Schedule.
Fresno State's annual Senior Night will be on Wednesday, Nov. 18 as the team takes on Wyoming for the final home game of the year. A ceremony honoring the hard work and dedication from the senior class during their collegiate career at Fresno State will be held prior to the first serve slated for 7 p.m. The 2015 seniors are outside hitter Zana Bowens and setter Jelena Jovanovic.
About the Falcons
Air Force will visit the Save Mart Center on Thursday, for only the second time since joining the Mountain West in 2013. The Bulldogs were victorious in a three-set sweep last month (Oct. 17) and are 2-2 against Air Force over the last three seasons. Fresno State owns the all-time record of 7-3, while all three of the Falcons' victories came at home in Colorado Springs, Colo.
While ranking second to last in the weekly conference standings, Air Force is coming off back-to-back losses against two of the top three competitors in the league, highlighted by a five-set battle against Wyoming while taking one set from No. 13 Colorado State. The Falcons are 2-7 as the visiting team and 1-5 during regular season road trips, with an 11-17 overall mark (4-9 MW).
About the Lobos
This week's competition will be capped against New Mexico on Saturday, during what will be the second faceoff this year as the ‘Dogs look to gain revenge after being topped in three consecutive sets on Oct. 15 in Albuquerque, N.M. The Lobos are riding a two-game losing streak over eight matches last week, capping a four-game homestand by falling to both Wyoming (3-2) and No. 13 Colorado State (3-0) at the Johnson Center.
Fresno State entered the 2015 season tied 10-10 all-time with New Mexico, and have won two of the last four Mountain West matches since 2013. In eight matchups over the last 15 years, Fresno State was topped by the Lobos at home only once with four victories and the most recent coming in 2014.
Stay Tuned
This season, all home matches are featured live on the Mountain West Network , while ESPN Radio is set to broadcast two of the Bulldogs three reaming home games live on the 790 AM "The Deuce," with Christian Lukens as the host - Air Force (Nov. 12) and Wyoming (Nov. 18).
Live stat feeds of all home matches can be found on GameTracker or StatBroadcast, and fans can stay updated via social media through Fresno State volleyball's Twitter, Facebook or Instagram accounts.
Conference Standings
This week, No. 13 Colorado State remains ahead of the 11-program league, followed by Boise State, Wyoming, New Mexico and UNLV. After a pair of victories last week, Nevada moved from ninth to sixth, while San Diego State jumped ahead of the Bulldogs at seventh. Fresno State fell to eighth and San Jose State dropped one ranking to ninth. Air Force moved from seventh last week to 10th and Utah State remains last. The Mountain West rankings are determined by each team's regular season winning percentage and headed by the Rams who are undefeated (1.000) over 14 matches.
Bulldogs in the MW
Having played in at least 50 percent of the team's matches this season, Bulldog libero Maggie Eppright owns a conference-high of 494 digs (4.84 p/s) while setter Brooke Legaux ranks sixth in assists (745, 7.45 p/s). As outside hitters, Zana Bowens places among the top 10 in kills (291, 2.97) and points (334, 3.41), and Aleisha Coates owns an eighth place standing among league competitors with 28 service aces (0.28 p/s).
Team wise, the Bulldogs are a top three conference leader in assists (1,242), kills (1,385) and digs (1,528) over 102 sets played this season. During regular season competition, Fresno State is positioned in the top five of this week's standings within four categories – assists (637), kills (700), service aces (58) and digs (756).
Double Trouble
Of the 43 Mountain West competitors who have posted double-doubles, Zana Bowens and fellow outside hitter Aleisha Coates combine for 19 on the season, while Brooke Legaux (11 digs, 36 assists) and freshman Sabrina Winslow (12 kills, 10 digs) have one apiece.
Bowens currently stands third in the league, only two shy of the category leader in double-doubles. Of her 11 this season, seven have come at home versus Cal Poly (17 kills, 11 digs), Cal State Fullerton (11 kills, 11 digs), Sacramento State (12 kills, 16 digs), Portland (11 kills, 12 digs), San Diego State (17 kills, 12 digs), UNLV (16 kills, 18 digs), and most recently Boise State (16 kills, 17 digs). The senior outside hitter has posted a season-high of 17 kills on two occasions and had 18 digs against the Rebels.
Coates places among the top ten in the conference with eight double-doubles, including three during the regular season with a pair against San Jose State on Sept. 24 (13 kills, 11 digs) and Oct. 24 (14 kills, 12 digs), and one versus Boise State on Oct. 29 (13 kills, 15 digs). The junior transfer logged her first Bulldog double-double against Georgia State at the Catamount Classic and tacked on an additional pair at both the Bulldog Showdown and Fresno State Classic, recording a high of 20 kills and 14 digs against the Pilots at home on Sept. 18.
Triple Threat
In a span of 13 matches, seven Bulldogs have accounted for triple-digit figures in various regular season categories including kills, assists, digs and points. The team is led on both sides of the ball by Zana Bowens with 150 kills, 129 digs and 165.5 points, along with fellow outside hitter Aleisha Coates who has 127 kills, 109 digs and has scored 150.5 points over 51 sets. Offensively, Carly Scarbrough has tallied 143 kills and 157.5 points, while assisted by a pair of standout setters including Brooke Legaux (277 assists) and Jelena Jovanovic (248 assists). Additionally, defensive specialist Jacqueline Hutcheson (120 digs) and libero Maggie Eppright (240 digs) combine for nearly half of the team's total regular season digs.
National Team Status
The sixth Division I RPI (rating percentage index) of the 2015 season was released by the NCAA on Monday, Nov. 9 with Fresno State ranking No. 205 on a national platform. The ‘Dogs remain ahead of two Mountain West programs including San Jose State (No. 225) and Utah State (No. 252). After concluding last year at 226, Fresno State saw its highest RPI in the first ranking during the 2015 season - Oct. 5 (171), Oct. 12 (177), Oct. 19 (182), Oct. 26 (186), Nov. 2 (189), Nov. 9 (205).
This week, Fresno State ranks among the top 100 programs in the nation in assists (No. 81, 1242), attacks (No. 70, 3718), attacks per set (No. 70, 36.45), kills (No. 46, 1385) and kills per set (No. 67, 13.58).
Individual NCAA Standings
For the seventh consecutive week, libero Maggie Eppright and senior outside hitter Zana Bowens have remained in the NCAA national rankings. As of Nov. 9, Eppright captured the team's highest ranking while tied at No. 36 in total digs, and Bowens moved up in both total attacks and attacks per set.
Bowens - No. 142 Attacks per set (9.68), No. 129 Total Attacks (949)
Eppright – No. 46 Digs per set (4.84), No. 36 Total Digs (494)
Fighting Spirit Award
The Fighting Spirit Award was introduced to the Fresno State volleyball program by Netherby-Sewell in 2008. The award originated at Hofstra by Hall of Fame coach Fran Kalafer, and is presented to the individual or team who best defeats adversity each week and collectively at the season's end. Past season recipients include Allanah Munson and Baylee Platt (2008), Kelly Mason (2010), Korrin Wild (2012), Zana Bowens (2014) and the entire team in 2009, 2011 and 2013.
2015 Weekly Honors:
Western Carolina Tournament: Maggie Eppright, Zana Bowens
Cal Poly (home opener): Maggie Eppright, Carly Scarbrough, Brooke Legaux
Saint Mary's Tournament: Maggie Eppright, Carly Scarbrough, Jacqueline Hutcheson
Bulldog Showdown: Carly Scarbrough, Aleisha Coates
Fresno State Classic: Maggie Eppright, Taylor Slover, Carly Scarbrough, Jacqueline Hutcheson
Conference - Week One: None
Conference - Week Two: Entire Team
Conference - Week Three: Jelena Jovanovic, Sabrina Winslow, Zana Bowens
Conference - Week Four: Jacqueline Hutcheson, Gertu Vider, Aleisha Coates, Zana Bowens, Maggie Eppright
Conference - Week Five: Entire Team vs. UNLV and Aleksandra Simeonova, Aleisha Coates, Jacqueline Hutcheson vs. SJSU
Conference - Week Six: Team
Conference - Week Seven: None
Adopting the Bulldog Way
The ‘Dogs opened the 2015 season with over half of the roster consisting of newcomers eager to make an impact and adopt the Bulldog culture. Poised with a competitive nature, the eight- person incoming class have added speed, ability and power. All active members of this season's roster have recorded time on the court as junior transfer Aleisha Coates paces the newcomers with an appearance in all but one set over 27 matches. As a Bulldog middle blocker Taylor Slover leads the freshmen class with 16 game-starts, followed by Gertu Vider with eight including the ‘Dogs past seven matches. Outside hitter Sabrina Winslow has competed in nearly half of the 102 sets played this season, along with additional freshmen contributors Brielle Hefner and Aleksandra Simeonova.
Returning Standouts
This year's returning lineup includes two seniors - Zana Bowens and Jelena Jovanovic, two juniors – Maggie Eppright and Brooke Legaux, and three sophomores – Lauren Torres, Jacqueline Hutcheson and Carly Scarbrough. All seven veterans contributed in over half of the 119 sets played in 2014, while Eppright and Scarbrough are the lone Bulldogs who have competed in all 102 sets over 27 matches so far this season.
Outside hitters, Scarbrough and Bowens account for the top two kill figures while setters, Legaux and Jovanovic own the team's largest statistics in in assists and assists per set. On defense, Eppright, Bowens, Legaux and Hutcheson have tallied triple-digit digs and sophomores Scarbrough and Torres combine for over half of the team's total blocks. Additionally, Bowens, Hutcheson, Eppright and Leagux have accounted for 75 of the team's 121 total service aces.
Career Milestones
Sophomores Jacqueline Hutcheson, Lauren Torres and Carly Scarbrough, junior setter Brooke Legaux and seniors Zana Bowens and Jelena Jovanovic have reset various personal career game-highs in the 27 games played during the 2015 season.
Hutcheson: 2 kills vs. Bethune Cookman (9/5), 6 assists vs. UC Davis (9/19), 20 digs vs. Boise State (10/29)
Torres: 13 kills vs. UNLV (10/20), 3 digs (2x, 10/20), .636 hitting percentage vs. SJSU (9/24), 8 blocks vs. Georgia State (8/29)
Jovanovic: 7 kills (2x, 10/10), 4 blocks vs. Utah State (10/1)
Scarbrough: 22 kills vs. Boise State (10/3), 2 assists vs. Boise State (10/29)
Legaux: 7 kills vs. Cal State Fullerton (9/11), 4 blocks vs. Cal Poly (9/1)
Bowens: 5 assists (2x, 9/19)
Red Wave Appreciation
Averaging nearly 1,000 fans per game, the Red Wave continues to positively contribute to Fresno State's home court success by continuing to create a difficult atmosphere for incoming teams to thrive in. The combination of the crowd's impact and the band's contribution makes for a memorable home game experience.
This season, Fresno State has consistently averaged over 600 fans per game at the Save Mart Center. With 14 home games thus far, the 2015 season-high attendance figure (914) at the Save Mart Center came against UNLV on Oct. 20. For ticket information and prices visit, Volleyball Tickets.
Around Campus
In addition to volleyball's three-game home stand, Fresno State Athletics looks to host a men's basketball game on Friday (7 p.m.) at the Save Mart Center and a swim and dive meet on Saturday (12 p.m.) at the Aquatics Center this week.
The ‘Dogs will compete against one visiting team each day next week while welcoming four spate teams to the Save Mart Center – men's basketball (Nov. 16), women's basketball (Nov. 17), volleyball (Nov. 18), men's basketball (Nov. 19) and women's basketball (Nov. 20). The week will be rounded out with the Western Band Association held all day at Bulldog Stadium Nov. 21-22. During Thanksgiving break in two weeks, both Bulldog basketball programs will compete at home as well as football versus Colorado State on Nov. 28, starting at 6 p.m.
2015 Season Underway
The ‘Dogs non-conference tilt included a 2-1 opening weekend record at the Catamount Classic in Cullowhee, N.C. Fresno State fell 3-2 against Cal Poly during a thrilling home opener (Sept. 1), prior to tallying a 1-2 mark at the Saint Mary's Invitational. For the first time under Netherby-Sewell, the ‘Dogs hosted back-to-back tournaments that included a second place finish at the Bulldog Invitational (3-1), before claiming first at the Fresno State Classic (2-1).
Fresno State opened Mountain West play at home against San Jose State on Sept. 24, and logged a 4-4 record in the first round of conference matches. The ‘Dogs defeated Utah State (3-1) and Air Force (3-0) on the road while topping Nevada (3-0) and UNLV (3-2) at the Save Mart Center. At the conclusion of the eight-game halfway mark, Fresno State was positioned sixth in the conference standings with a winning percentage of .545 on the season.
2015 Weekly Recognition
All-Tournament Honors
Western Carolina Tournament (Aug. 29) – Maggie Eppright, Brooke Leguax
Bulldog Showdown (Sept. 12) – Carly Scarbrough, Aleisha Coates
Fresno State Classic (Sept. 19) – Maggie Eppright, Carly Scarbrough (MVP)
Fresno State Student-Athlete of the Week
Sept. 21 - Carly Scarbrough
Aug. 31 - Maggie Eppright
About the ‘Dogs
Currently in her eighth season at the helm of the Bulldog volleyball program, Lauren Netherby-Sewell captured her 100th victory on Oct. 1 over the Aggies in Logan, Utah. The San Clemente, Calif., native has compiled a 104-129 record at Fresno State and owns a 148-151 overall mark after a two-year stint as the head coach at Hofstra (43-19, 26-6 CAA). Netherby-Sewell has inspired record crowds and developed a team focused on fundamentals and primed to excel as she continues to lead a traditionally strong program.
The ‘Dogs 15-person roster includes 10 California natives, six Central Valley athletes, one Florida local and three members from abroad. The ‘Dogs added seven freshmen and one junior transfer with a high talent level and eagerness to make an impact during the 2015 season. The team strives by its mantra of outworking, outthinking and outplaying all opponents while displaying integrity, discipline, loyalty, courageousness, hard work and vigor.
In addition to the newcomers, the Bulldogs welcomed a new assistant coach to the fold in February of 2015. Sarah Chlebana joins assistant coach Joe Skinner under Netherby-Sewell, heavily equipped with experience and knowledge of the game. The first-year volleyball director of operations position was filled by one of the program's most talented alumni, Korrin Wild, who graduated in 2013 and continued her career professionally overseas.
Academic Achievements
The `Dogs were among an all-time record breaking 753 teams who earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2014-15 season. The Bulldog volleyball program boasts a six-year consecutive streak being awarded for their academic excellence due to hard work and dedication in the classroom, consistently maintaining a +3.30 team cumulative GPA.
In addition to the team recognition, 12 Bulldogs earned individual academic all-conference honors at the conclusion of the 2014 season and have earned 33 All-MW accolades in just a three-year stent as a member of the Mountain West. Fresno State has led the league in academic accolades for the past two seasons and displayed an impressive team GPA of 3.49 for the combined fall and spring academic terms.
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