Bulldogs back in the win column with 3-1 victory over San Diego State

Tuesday, October 3

Fresno, CA

7:00 PM

Fresno State

San Diego State

Bulldogs back in the win column with 3-1 victory over San Diego State

10/3/2017 10:03:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Andrew Tomsky / Assistant Director of Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State returned to its big blocking numbers at home, outblocking San Diego State 15.0-8.0 and holding the Aztecs to a .114 hitting percentage in a 3-1 (26-24, 19-25, 25-19, 25-22) win on Tuesday in the Save Mart Center.

Fresno State (7-10, 2-3 MW) tallied at least 13.0 blocks for the third time in four home matches this season, recording at least three blocks in each set on Tuesday. San Diego State (7-11, 1-4 MW) dropped to 1-5 on the road this season as the 'Dogs moved one game ahead of the Aztecs in the Mountain West standings.

Lauren Torres led the block party with seven blocks, including two solos, and had four kills. Haile Watson had six blocks and two aces while Aubrey Folk was the lone Bulldog to reach double-digits in kills, finishing with 10 and four blocks. Jacqueline Hutcheson had a career-high 23 digs, one more than her previous career best, and Madelyn Halteman led with 20 assists to go with six digs.

How it Happened
In a matchup between teams that had identical results through their first four MW contests of the season there were 14 ties and five lead changes in a tight first sit. Neither team led by more than three points at any time in the set. Tied at 23-23, the teams combined for three straight service errors to give the 'Dogs a 25-24 lead and the home team converted its first set point on a solo block from Torres.

San Diego State led for most of the second set, taking an early 10-5 lead and leading the rest of the way. After Fresno State had a 5-0 edge in blocks in the first set the teams each had three blocks in the second while the Bulldogs hit .000 with just nine kills. After the 'Dogs trailed 21-12 they got a bit closer with a 6-0 run but the Aztecs were able to level the match.

The Aztecs never led in the third set. Fresno State hit a match-best .281 in the set with 10 kills and just one attack error. The Bulldogs also had a 4-0 edge in blocks in the set and turned a slim 13-11 lead into a 22-15 advantage on their way to taking a 2-1 lead.

The fourth set was tied 11-11 before the 'Dogs took over. Fresno State went on an 8-1 run to pull ahead 19-12, but the Aztecs answered with five straight points to make it 19-17. The Bulldogs came back to reach match point at 24-19, but three straight Aztec kills kept their hopes alive. Brielle Hefner then had her fourth kill of the set to end it.

Quotable
Head Coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell

On the match: "Good win for us tonight! I'd like to see us anticipate things a little bit better, so we can take advantage of some easy points. I thought we did well defensively taking care of the slide - a big adjustment from Saturday's match."

On the team: "Aubrey played well – she scored for us and handled their pin attack with her big block. Jacque was a little tight out or the gate but calmed herself down and dug a lot of balls. It was a good team effort and a solid win."

Notable
Fresno State is 3-1 in four home matches this season and is averaging 3.67 blocks per set while holding opponents to .159 hitting on its home floor…The Bulldogs totaled 13 fewer kills than the Aztecs but won their second match of the season when trailing in kills…Fresno State improved to 3-0 this season on Tuesdays (4-0 if you count the Fresno Pacific exhibition)…The Bulldogs denied San Diego State head coach Deitre Collins-Parker of her 300^th career win

What's Next
The Bulldogs close their longest homestand of the season while playing their fourth home match in eight days when they host Air Force on Thursday at 7 p.m.

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