Bulldogs sweep Hartford for best start since 2002

Sunday, August 28

West Hartford, Conn.

1:00 PM PT

Fresno State

3-0

Hartford

0-4

FRESNO STATE

HARTFORD

Bulldogs sweep Hartford for best start since 2002

8/28/2016 5:45:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Travis Blanshan / Assistant Director of Communications

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Sweeping its second consecutive match, the Fresno State volleyball team defeated Hartford on Sunday afternoon at the Hartford Volleyball Gym to improve to 3-0 for its best start to a season since 2002. The 'Dogs claimed the sets 25-18, 25-19, 25-20.

"It was a tough day for us, traveling two hours then playing a third day in a row," said head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell. "We are pleased with the win, but disappointed that we did not maintain the level of play we had on Saturday at Boston College."

Fresno State (3-0) was led in kills for a second time this season by outside hitter Aleisha Coates as the senior finished with 12. The Victorville, Calif., native added 10 digs for her second double-double this season. Three 'Dogs had seven kills apiece as Lauren Torres, Haile Watson and Aubrey Folk made key contributions. Madelyn Halteman had 25 assists and Maggie Eppright added 11 digs. As a team, the 'Dogs nearly doubled Hartford (0-4) in kills finishing with 40 compared to 22 for the Hawks and the 'Dogs hit .165 compared to .000 for Hartford.

The 'Dogs jumped out to an early 11-5 lead in set one after a kill from Taylor Slover and extended it to 17-9 after back-to-back kills from Watson. After maintaining an eight-point edge at 20-12, Hartford cut it to five (21-16) before the Bulldogs were able to pull out the final three points to claim the set 25-18.

"I thought Aubrey Folk came in and did a nice job blocking and getting some big kills," added Netherby-Sewell. "Brooke Legaux came in and settled us down in set one when Hartford put some pressure on us."

With the two teams trading off points to start set two, back-to-back kills by Coates put the visitors up 18-13, but the Hawks were able to trim the margin to three on three occasions before a kill by Folk and a pair of attack errors gave the 'Dogs a 25-19 win.

The Hawks again would not go down without a fight as the 'Dogs held a four-point cushion (21-17) after back-to-back kills by Coates and Folk. Hartford answered with a kill and an attack error to cut it within two, before four kills for the Bulldogs sealed the sweep.

The Bulldogs close out their four-game, four-day East Coast trip on Monday evening when they take on New Hampshire (1-2) at 4 p.m. PT

"We have a fourth day of travel on Monday to New Hampshire and grind it out with an America East powerhouse who made the NCAA Tournament last season," said Netherby-Sewell about the 'Dogs match with the Wildcats. "We will have to get back to a strong serve and pass game to win. We expect to come back and play Bulldog volleyball tomorrow."

"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. For a limited time, fans who purchase volleyball season tickets receive two complimentary tickets to the Bulldog football home opener on Sept. 10 against Sacramento State.

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