Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, October 1
Fresno, Calif.
1:00 PM
Fresno State
10-5, 1-3MW
3
vs
0
New Mexico
10-7, 1-3MW
1
2
3
F
New Mexico
18
20
21
0
Fresno State
25
25
25
3
Bulldogs sweep New Mexico to notch first MW victory
10/1/2016 4:25:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
FRESNO, Calif. - In front of 778 fans on Breast Cancer Awareness Day, the Bulldog volleyball team notched their first Mountain West victory of the season sweeping New Mexico on Saturday afternoon at the Save Mart Center. The 'Dogs won the individual sets 25-18, 25-20, 25-21.
"We played really well today," said head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell after the 'Dogs victory. "We have been playing some really close matches over the past two weeks that have not gone our way, but the team is staying determined chipping away and staying together. We stayed with our game plan and even when New Mexico came at us, we stayed solid."
Fresno State (10-5, 1-3 MW) posted its best hitting percentage as a team over its last six matches finishing with a .302 attack percentage . Senior outside hitter Aleisha Coates had her 13th double-figure kill performance of the season leading the 'Dogs with a team-high 15 and added seven digs and a pair of assists. Sophomore Brielle Hefner posted 10 kills and had a .368 attack percentage. Senior libero Maggie Eppright led the 'Dogs defensively with 13 digs as the San Luis Obispo native moved into the top 10 all-time in Mountain West history in digs.
New Mexico (10-7, 1-3 MW) was held to a .162 attack percentage and 29 kills as a team as Cassie House led the Lobos with 10. Ashley Kelsey had a team-high six digs and setter Lise Rugland finished with 20 assists.Â
"Our outside hitters did a good job using their hands and finding seams in the defense," added Netherby-Sewell. "I like that we got Lauren Torres the ball more this match and we got our middle going which is something we had not been able to do very well. We had some good performances from our right sides and hitting a .302 clip is pretty good. I was really pleased to see how we played offensively, but even more so defensively we started doing the things we have been practicing so much. I like how we were able to make adjustments to their adjustments."
The 'Dogs were able to jump on New Mexico from the outset in set one taking a commanding 11-3 lead and increasing it 23-10 after a kil by Coates. The Lobos mounted a small comeback ripping off the next seven points as server Julia Warren was able to find holes in the 'Dogs defense, but the 'Dogs completed the 25-18 set win with a final kill from Haile Watson.
An attack error from New Mexico and a service ace by Eppright broke a 14-14 tie in set two as the 'Dogs were able to separate from New Mexico with a 8-3 run to take a 22-17 lead and hold on for a 25-20 victory. The Lobos came out of the break in set three looking to attack jumping out to a 11-7 lead and continued to hold a four-point advantage until the 'Dogs reeled off five of six points to knot the set at 19 apiece. Back-to-back kills by Hefner and two more kills by Coates pushed the 'Dogs toward the finish line as a setting error for the Lobos clinched the Bulldog victory.
Fresno State returns to action on Thursday when they hit the road to take on San Diego State (9-7, 1-1 MW) at 6:00 p.m. from Peterson Gym.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – Season tickets, mini plans and single-game tickets for the 2016 Fresno State football season are now on sale at GoBulldogs.com or by calling 559-278-3647. 940 AM ESPN Radio and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes is the official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs.
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateVB
Instagram:Â FresnoStatevball
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat:Â FSAthletics
"We played really well today," said head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell after the 'Dogs victory. "We have been playing some really close matches over the past two weeks that have not gone our way, but the team is staying determined chipping away and staying together. We stayed with our game plan and even when New Mexico came at us, we stayed solid."
Fresno State (10-5, 1-3 MW) posted its best hitting percentage as a team over its last six matches finishing with a .302 attack percentage . Senior outside hitter Aleisha Coates had her 13th double-figure kill performance of the season leading the 'Dogs with a team-high 15 and added seven digs and a pair of assists. Sophomore Brielle Hefner posted 10 kills and had a .368 attack percentage. Senior libero Maggie Eppright led the 'Dogs defensively with 13 digs as the San Luis Obispo native moved into the top 10 all-time in Mountain West history in digs.
New Mexico (10-7, 1-3 MW) was held to a .162 attack percentage and 29 kills as a team as Cassie House led the Lobos with 10. Ashley Kelsey had a team-high six digs and setter Lise Rugland finished with 20 assists.Â
"Our outside hitters did a good job using their hands and finding seams in the defense," added Netherby-Sewell. "I like that we got Lauren Torres the ball more this match and we got our middle going which is something we had not been able to do very well. We had some good performances from our right sides and hitting a .302 clip is pretty good. I was really pleased to see how we played offensively, but even more so defensively we started doing the things we have been practicing so much. I like how we were able to make adjustments to their adjustments."
The 'Dogs were able to jump on New Mexico from the outset in set one taking a commanding 11-3 lead and increasing it 23-10 after a kil by Coates. The Lobos mounted a small comeback ripping off the next seven points as server Julia Warren was able to find holes in the 'Dogs defense, but the 'Dogs completed the 25-18 set win with a final kill from Haile Watson.
An attack error from New Mexico and a service ace by Eppright broke a 14-14 tie in set two as the 'Dogs were able to separate from New Mexico with a 8-3 run to take a 22-17 lead and hold on for a 25-20 victory. The Lobos came out of the break in set three looking to attack jumping out to a 11-7 lead and continued to hold a four-point advantage until the 'Dogs reeled off five of six points to knot the set at 19 apiece. Back-to-back kills by Hefner and two more kills by Coates pushed the 'Dogs toward the finish line as a setting error for the Lobos clinched the Bulldog victory.
Fresno State returns to action on Thursday when they hit the road to take on San Diego State (9-7, 1-1 MW) at 6:00 p.m. from Peterson Gym.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – Season tickets, mini plans and single-game tickets for the 2016 Fresno State football season are now on sale at GoBulldogs.com or by calling 559-278-3647. 940 AM ESPN Radio and 1600 AM ESPN Deportes is the official home of the Fresno State Bulldogs.
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateVB
Instagram:Â FresnoStatevball
Facebook:Â FresnoStateAthletics
Snap Chat:Â FSAthletics
Team Stats
NM
FS
Kills
29
45
Errors
16
19
Attempts
80
86
Hitting %
.163
.302
Points
41.0
63.0
Assists
25
44
Aces
5
8
Blocks
7.0
10.0
Game Leaders
Kills
15
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
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