Fresno State Athletics
`Dogs Point Toward Rockies for Two Matches
9/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
Game Notes | MW Weekly Release
Thursday, Oct. 1
Fresno State (8-7, 0-1 MW) vs. Utah State (4-12, 0-2 MW) -- 6 p.m. (PT)
Location: Logan, Utah (Wayne Estes Center)
Coverage: MW Network,
Saturday, Oct. 3
Fresno State (8-7, 0-1 MW) vs. Boise State (8-6, 0-2 MW) -- 1 p.m. (PT)
Location: Boise, Idaho (Bronco Gym)
Coverage: MW Network,
Bulldog Outlook
Led by head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell, the Fresno State volleyball team owns an 8-7 overall record heading into the second week of Mountain West action. Following a 3-2 loss to San Jose State in the conference home opener, the Bulldogs will take on Utah State on Thursday at the Wayne Estes Center in Logan, Utah, before facing Boise State on Saturday at Bronco Gym.
Now in her eighth season at the helm of the Bulldog volleyball program, Netherby-Sewell stands one game shy of capturing her 100th victory. The San Clemente, Calif., native has compiled a 99-122 record at Fresno State and owns a 143-144 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.
Non-conference action included a 2-1 opening weekend record at the Catamount Classic in Cullowhee, N.C. Cal Poly topped Fresno State 3-2 during a thrilling home opener (Sept. 1) at the Save Mart Center, 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).
Following this week's pair of road matches, Fresno State will return home on Thursday, Oct. 8 to take on Nevada (7 p.m.) and San Diego State on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m. Of the 17 matches left in conference play, the `Dogs are slated to host eight matches before the first round of the NCAA postseason tournament gets underway (Dec. 3-5).
About the `Dogs
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.
Leading the Bulldogs offensively, sophomore outside hitter Carly Scarbrough has an overall hitting percentage of .295 with 153 kills while averaging 2.78 per set. At setter, junior Brooke Legaux paces the team with 503 assists (9.49 p/s) while helping the `Dogs to 44 kills and six service aces this season.
Defensive standout, Maggie Eppright has garnered a team-high of 276 digs over the span of 15 games with six aces at the service line and 29 assists. The junior libero averages 5.02 digs per set with 288 total receptions.
Scouting the Aggies
Utah State is heading into this week's action with an overall record of 4-12. The Aggies opened MW play dropping two conference games on the road against No. 20 Colorado State (3-0) and No. 25 Wyoming (3-1). The team combines for a hitting percentage of .144, and currently place last in the 11-team weekly conference standings.
In the previous meeting between the two programs, Fresno State won 3-2 at home in 2014 after falling 3-0 to the Aggies earlier in the season. Utah State owns the all-time record of 14-11 over the `Dogs.
Scouting the Broncos
Ranking 10th in the Mountain West this week, Boise State dropped from third after a conference-opening loss to No. 25 Wyoming (3-0) followed by a 3-2 defeat against No. 20 Colorado State. The Broncos own an overall record of 8-6 (2-0 MW), with a team hitting percentage of .280 (14.70 kills p/s).
In 2014, Fresno State was defeated by the Broncos twice in three sets with the last meeting coming on Nov. 13 at home. The Bulldogs own the all-time record of 20-10 over Boise State, competing in 30 matches over the last 20 years.
Conference Standings
Five weeks into the 2015 season, Fresno State sits in ninth among Mountain West programs. Leading the conference is No. 25 Wyoming (12-2, 2-0 MW) with No. 20 Colorado State (9-3, 2-0 MW) remaining in second and UNLV (8-5, 1-0 MW), San Jose State (9-6, 1-1 MW) and New Mexico (8-6, 1-1 MW) rounding out the top half of the standings.
In one week, the standings saw a dramatic shift as Boise State fell from third to tenth, UNLV moved up three places to third, Air Force, Nevada and San Diego jumped ahead of Fresno State and Utah State dropped one ranking to last place.
The `Dogs 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. The results of the regular season will determine which teams advance to the first round of NCAA postseason play starting the first weekend in December.
'Dogs in the MW
Individually, Bulldog libero Maggie Eppright owns a conference-high of 276 digs (5.02 p/s) while starting setter Brooke Legaux remains in the weekly standings at No. 5 in assists (503, 9.49 p/s), and defensive specialist Jacqueline Hutcheson ranks seventh in service aces (19). Outside hitter Aleisha Coates moves into the rankings at No. 10 in kills (166, 3.02 p/s) and for the third consecutive week Carly Scarbrough remains tenth with a .295 hitting percentage (153 kills).
Team wise, the Bulldogs rank second in the conference in kills (747, 13.98 p/s) and digs (833, 15.15 p/s), third in assists (655) and sixth in hitting percentage (.198), while additionally standing seventh in service aces (70) and eighth with 112 blocks within the 11-team playing field.
In conference play only, Hutcheson paces the league in service aces while Eppright is sixth in digs and Scarbrough ranks tenth with 17.5 points after the regular season-opener against San Jose State.
Double Trouble
Of the 32 Mountain West competitors who have posted double-doubles, Zana Bowens and fellow outside hitter Aleisha Coates combine for 11 on the season while Brooke Legaux earned her first against Southern Utah with 11 digs and 36 assists.
Coates places among the top five with six double-doubles and one coming during the regular season against San Jose State. 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.
Of Bowen's five double-doubles, four have come at home versus Cal Poly (17 kills, 11 digs), Cal State Fullerton (11 kills, 11 digs), Sacramento State (12 kills, 16 digs) and Portland (11 kills, 12 digs).
National Rankings
This week, four Bulldogs made their way into the NCAA rankings as of Monday, Sept. 28. Maggie Eppright garnered the team's highest ranking of No. 30 in digs per set (5.02). The staring libero additionally places No. 34 in the nation in total digs (276). Compared to last week's rankings, Brooke Legaux, Zana Bowens and Eppright remained in the standings as sophomore defensive specialist Jacqueline Hutcheson made her first appearance tying at No. 116 with 19 total service aces.
Brooke Legaux -- No. 115 assists per set (9.49), T No. 89 total assists (503)
Zana Bowens -- No. 134 attacks per set (9.76), No. 116 total attacks (537)
Maggie Eppright -- No. 30 digs per set (5.02), T No. 34 total digs (276)
Jacqueline Hutcheson -- T No. 116 service aces (19)
Stay Tuned
This season, all home matches will be featured live on the Mountain West Network
ESPN Radio has scheduled to air six home matches live on 790 AM "The Deuce" with Christian Lukens as the host, including UC Riverside (Sept. 11), Portland (Sept. 18), UNLV (Oct. 20), Boise State (Oct. 29), Air Force (Nov. 12) and Wyoming (Nov. 18).
Pink Out
On Thursday, Oct. 8 the `Dogs will host Nevada for the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Night at the Save Mart Center. Fans will receive free admission for wearing pink in order to raise awareness to breast cancer. Several Central Valley organizations will be highlighted throughout the event starting at 7 p.m.
Honoring Alumnae
The team will welcome former volleyball players for the annual Alumnae Day on Oct. 10 as Fresno State hosts San Diego State at 1 p.m., with the homecoming football game later that evening at Bulldog Stadium.
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.
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
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.
Adopting the Bulldog Way
Poised with a competitive nature and eager to adopt the Bulldog culture, this season's incoming class boasts height, speed, ability and power. Aleisha Coates, a junior transfer, is one of five Bulldogs who have competed in all 55 sets over 15 games while leading the team with 166 kills in 462 attempts (3.02 per set) and 192 total points (3.50 p/s). Of the seven-person freshmen class, Taylor Slover has competed in 47 sets as a Bulldog middle blocker, logging the third-highest block total (31) and a fifth-best 78 kills in 209 attempts and 98 points scored.
Additional newcomer contributors include middle blocker Jordyn Griggs and outside hitters Brielle Hefner and Sabrina Winslow, who combine for 48 of the `Dogs 747 total kills. Appearing in 30 sets, Griggs has helped the Bulldogs to 26 blocks, ranking top five on the team with playing time in only 11 games including six starts this season.
Career Milestones
Sophomores Jacqueline Hutcheson, Lauren Torres and Carly Scarbrough, junior setter Brooke Legaux and senior Zana Bowens have reset various personal career game-highs in the past 15 games played this season.
Hutcheson: 2 kills vs. Bethune Cookman (Sept. 5), 18 digs vs. Portland (Sept. 18), 6 assists vs. UC Davis (Sept. 19)
Torres: .636 hitting percentage vs. SJSU (Sept. 24), 8 blocks vs. Georgia State (Aug. 29)
Scarbrough: 17 kills vs. Cal State Fullerton (Sept. 11)
Legaux: 7 kills vs. Cal State Fullerton (Sept. 11), 4 blocks vs. Cal Poly (Sept. 1)
Bowens: 5 assists, 2x (last Sept. 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.
In nine games thus far in 2015 Fresno State averages over 500 fans per game at the Save Mart Center, with a season-high of 891 in attendance for the home opener against Cal Poly on Sept. 1.
For ticket information and prices visit, Volleyball Tickets.
2015 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)
Coaching Staff Additions
In addition to the newcomers, the Bulldog volleyball team 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. A Calgary, Alberta native, Chlebana has previous experience as a trainer, mentor, recruiting coordinator and director of operations as well as being seasoned on the floor after serving seven years as an assistant coach at Sacramento State. Skinner enters his second season as a Bulldog assistant coach after joining the staff in 2013. The Roseville, Calif., local served for seven years at Oregon prior to Fresno State, helping the Ducks to a NCAA and Pac-12 runner-up finish.
Seasoned Returners
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.
Top returning outside hitter Zana Bowens led the team starting in all 32 matches her junior year while being named an all-time single-match leader. Sophomore Carly Scarbrough reset the freshman record of 115 sets played while junior libero, Maggie Eppright earned a No. 4 spot on the all-time career list for averaging 3.44 digs per set last season.
New to the Fold
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, who is equipped with excellent ball control, a high level of competition, maturity and strength. 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.
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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