Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
Boise State
'Dogs venture to Boise State & Air Force
11/8/2016 10:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Thursday, Nov. 10
Fresno State (13-12, 4-10 MW) at Boise State (20-6, 11-2 MW) -- 6:30 p.m. PT
Location: Boise, Idaho (Bronco Gym)
Live Stats
Live Video (Mountain West Network)
Saturday, Nov. 12
Fresno State (13-12, 4-10 MW) at Air Force (9-17, 0-13 MW) -- 11 a.m. PT
Location: U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. (Clune Arena)
Live Stats
Live Video (Mountain West Network)
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Bulldogs defeat San Diego State in four sets; fall to Nevada at home
After dropping four matches in a row, the 'Dogs got back on the winning track on Saturday defeating San Diego State in a four-set thriller at the Save Mart Center. After dropping the first set against the Aztecs, the 'Dogs won the final three sets gutting out set wins 28-26, 25-20 and 29-27. Aleisha Coates had a team-high 13 kills and Lauren Torres and Taylor Slover added 10 apiece. Maggie Eppright had 18 digs and the 'Dogs had 14 blocks as a team to pick up its second win against SDSU since joining the MW in 2012. On Thursday, the 'Dogs fell to Nevada in straight sets as Coates led the team with 14 kills.
'Dogs vs. Boise State History
The 'Dogs lead the all-time series with Boise State 20-13 despite the Broncos winning six of the last seven meetings, including a sweep over the Bulldogs at Clovis North High School on Oct. 15. Since moving into the MW in 2012, the 'Dogs are 3-6 against BSU and are 2-2 in Boise with wins coming in five sets in 2012 and four sets in 2013. In the 'Dogs and Broncos match earlier this season, Brielle Hefner had a team-high nine kills and Eppright & Coates had 11 digs apiece.
A look at the Boise State Broncos
Boise State is 20-6 overall on the season with an 11-2 mark in the Mountain West entering the week 33rd in the RPI and tied atop the conference standings with Colorado State. Winners of nine straight matches, the Broncos have dropped only one set in that span and are 15-2 since Sept. 15 only falling in four sets at UNLV and at home vs. Nevada. The Broncos currently lead the MW in kills (14.48 avg./s) ranking sixth in the country & also lead the league in assists (13.48) and digs (15.84). BSU is also second in the conference in hitting percentage (.250), third in opp. hitting percentage (.182) & fourth in blocks (2.53).
Individually, Sierra Nobley leads the conference in kills per set (4.54), Jaymee-Lee Bulda is first in the MW and third in the nation in assists (11.74) and Maddi Osburn leads the league in digs (5.02). Emily Sullivan is second in service aces per set (0.39) and Maddy O'Donnell is third in blocks (1.31).
Bulldogs vs. Air Force History
Saturday's match vs. Air Force will be the 13th meeting between the two programs with the 'Dogs leading the all-time series 9-3 winning in five sets at home on Oct. 13 behind a career-high 24 kills from Coates. Maddy Halteman had 46 assists and Eppright added 17 digs. The 'Dogs are 5-3 against the Falcons since joining the MW in 2012, but only 1-3 at AFA with the lone win coming last year in a sweep.
A look at the Air Force Falcons
Air Force is 9-17 overall with a 0-13 mark in the Mountain West. The Falcons have set wins over Nevada, Utah State and San Diego State along with taking the first two sets against the Bulldogs in Fresno. Air Force is right behind the Bulldogs in the MW in service aces ranking second at 1.35 per set & is fifth in digs (13.52) and eighth in assists (11.50). Soph. OH Elizabeth Pennington leads the team and ranks fifth in the MW in kills per set (3.55) and points per set (4.05). Sarah Hellman is sixth in assists (9.63).
The 'Dogs currently lead the MW and rank 16th in the nation in service aces per set (1.70). The Bulldogs also lead the MW in aces (160 - 22nd in the nation), rank 7th in kills (12.40) & are 8th in hitting pct. (.205).
Bulldog Individual leaders in the Mountain West
Individually, a number of Bulldogs find themselves in the top five in the Mountain West. Junior Jacqueline Hutcheson leads the conference in service aces with 50 to rank 5th in the nation and also leads the conference & ranks 8th in the country in aces per set (0.53). Coates is fourth in the MW in points per set (4.31 avg./s), kills per set (3.61 avg./s) & service aces (33) and fifth in aces per set (0.35) and points (405.5).
NCAA Volleyball RPI rankings
The 'Dogs are seventh in the Mountain West and 117th overall in the RPI. The MW has six teams in the top 100 as the Bulldogs downed Wyoming, 61st in the RPI, on Oct. 20 in five sets and SDSU (96) on Saturday. UNLV tops the MW at #28 & the 'Dogs are 9-0 against teams below 150 and 4-12 against top 150 teams beating Wyoming, UNM, PSU and SDSU.
Hutcheson ranks tied for eighth in single-season service aces
Hutcheson, who has appeared in all 94 sets and 25 matches this season, ranks tied for eighth in a single season in service aces with 50. Andrea Radmilovich set the record in 1992 with 68.
Watson joins the 100-kill club; 'Dogs with six players with 100+ kills
Haile Watson had four kills in the 'Dogs two matches last week and now has 102 for the season. Watson is the sixth 'Dog with 100 or more kills this season joining Coates, Brielle Hefner, Carly Scarbrough, Lauren Torres & Aubrey Folk and it is the first time that six 'Dogs have 100+ kills since 2011.
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.Â
Weekly Honors
Boston College Invitational/Hartford/New Hampshire -- Team
Bulldog Showdown -- Maggie Eppright
UIW Cardinal Classic -- Eppright, Aleisha Coates, Carly Scarbrough, Jacqueline Hutcheson, Gertu Vider
Fresno Pacific -- Eppright, Coates, Hutcheson
at Colorado State/Wyoming -- Eppright, Hutcheson, Haile Watson
vs. UNLV/New Mexico -- Coates, Eppright, Hutcheson, Maddy Halteman, Brooke Legaux, Taylor Slover, Brielle Hefner
at San Diego State/Nevada -- Watson
vs. Air Force/Boise State -- Lauren Torres
vs. Wyoming/Colorado State -- Hefner, Slover, Eppright
at New Mexico/UNLV -- Coates, Torres, Watson
vs. Nevada/San Diego State -- Coates, Eppright, Hutcheson
'Dogs celebrate Senior Night on Nov. 16Â
The Bulldogs will honor this year's senior class of Maggie Eppright, Brooke Legaux and Aleisha Coates on Nov. 16 against Utah State at 7 p.m. as the trio plays its final game at the Save Mart Center.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
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