Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State Volleyball: Home-Sweet-Home
8/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 14, 2015
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - Approaching the 52nd year of play and eighth under head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell, the Fresno State women's volleyball team looks forward to a successful year with a heavy home schedule.
After completing 23 games on the road in 2014, the `Dogs will gain the home court advantage against 18 teams this season. The squad graduated a talented group of five seniors, including three starters, at the conclusion of the 2014 season who collectively helped the Bulldogs to 57 wins during their four-year collegiate span.
Proud of the adversity the team overcame last year, Netherby-Sewell feels as if that factor will jumpstart a successful 2015 Bulldog season. The team approaches the year with a mindset to outwork, outthink and outplay every opponent while focusing on the importance of core values including integrity, discipline, loyalty, courageousness, hard work and vigor.
Some of the youngest players on the team are heading into the new season with valuable experience and knowledge gained early in their Bulldog careers. This year's returning lineup includes two seniors, two juniors and three sophomores, all of which competed in over half of the 119 sets played last season.
The squad boasts a pair of top returning outside hitters; Zana Bowens and Carly Scarbrough. An all-time single-match leader, Bowens enters her senior season poised with leadership, talent, speed and a competitive nature expecting to make a significant impact before capping her collegiate career. Scarbrough's contagious energy and strength earned her the new freshman record of 115 sets played last season.
Also returning for the `Dogs is seasoned libero Maggie Eppright, who looks to utilize her exceptional instinct and work ethic to drive the team to success. While working her way up the ranks last season, Eppright earned the No. 4 spot on the all-time career list for an average of 3.44 digs per set as one of the Bulldog's returning defensive specialist.
Joined by Bowens, Jelena Jovanovic is one of two seniors and enters the 2015 season as the lone starting setter for the Bulldogs. The Serbia native started in 24 of 29 matches played last season, while leading the team in assists (670, 6.98 p/s) after transferring to Fresno State from Florida Atlantic Junior College.
The team looks to rebuild with top recruits from around the central valley and abroad, adding seven freshmen and one junior transfer with high talent level and eagerness to make an impact during the 2015 season. Constructing an even younger squad than last year, the `Dogs embrace the physicality that the newcomers will contribute on top of the mental game and overall effort put forth to make Fresno State's presence known on the court this season.
The Bulldogs welcome junior transfer Aleisha Coates to the fold who is equipped with excellent ball control, a high level of competition, maturity and strength while demonstrating the proper fundamentals of the game. Coates is accompanied by seven freshmen including valley natives Madelyn Halteman, Taylor Slover, Sabrina Winslow, Brielle Hefner and Jordyn Griggs along with international members Gertu Vider and Aleksandra Simeonova.
The incoming class is constructed of power, height and ability with Halteman serving as the lone setter joining the team while Slover, Vider and Griggs enter as middle blockers and Winslow, Simeonova and Hefner look to utilize their strength as outside hitters.
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.
Averaging nearly 1,000 fans per game, the Red Wave continues to positively contribute to Fresno State's home court success continuing to create a difficult atmosphere for incoming teams to thrive in. The combination of the crowd's impact and band's contribution makes for a memorable home game experience, the `Dogs are excited to take the court for the 2015 home opener on Tuesday, Sept. 1 versus Cal Poly.
This season, all home matches will be featured on the Mountain West Network, excluding the exhibition alumnae match on Aug. 22. Fans can catch the action live on the MW Network.
Fresno State is slated to host 18 of its 27 matches this year. After the program's annual alumnae match on Aug. 22, Fresno State heads to tournaments at Western Carolina (Aug. 28-29) and Saint Mary's (Sept. 4-5). The Bulldogs will compete in their first home game of the regular season against Cal Poly on September 1 at 7 p.m. The team opens up the Fresno State Invitational facing UC Riverside on September 11. The two-day tournament also features matches versus Cal State Fullerton, Sacramento State and Central Michigan.
Season Tickets
$89 - Flex Four Pack*
$50 - Adult - Gen Admission
$40 - Senior (65+) - Gen Admission
$40 - Youth (5-18 yrs) - Gen Admission
$40 - Fresno State Faculty/Staff - Gen Admission
Single Match Tickets
$6 - Adult - Gen Admission
$4 - Senior/Youth - Gen Admission
$4 - Youth (5-18 yrs) - Gen Admission
$3 - Groups (10+) - Gen Admission
Free - Fresno State Students
*With the Flex Four Pack you will receive 4 SEASON TICKETS. It gives you the flexibility to use your tickets for any combination of events. Tickets can be exchanged at the Save Mart Center Box Office.
"Be Bold!" - The official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs is 940 AM ESPN Radio.
