Fresno State Athletics
Thursday, October 25
Laramie, Wyo.
5:30 P.M. PT
Fresno State
17-6, 9-1MW
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Wyoming
15-8, 7-4MW
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Fresno State
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Wyoming
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MW-leading ‘Dogs hand Wyoming first home loss
10/25/2018 9:08:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
LARAMIE, Wyo. – Senior Taylor Slover hit a season-best .429 with 20 kills and the Bulldogs outblocked the second best blocking team in NCAA Div. I in handing Wyoming its first home loss of the season, 3-1 (25-19, 25-19, 22-25, 25-22), on Thursday night.
Fresno State (17-6, 9-1 MW) won its fifth consecutive match and gave Wyoming (15-8, 7-4 MW), which entered the night 11-0 at home this season, its first home loss. The Bulldogs outblocked the Cowgirls, who entered the match ranked second in NCAA Div. I averaging 3.00 blocks per set this season, 9.0-7.0 on Thursday. Fresno State won its fourth consecutive meeting with Wyoming but won in Laramie for the first time since 2013.
Slover added seven digs and a team-high two service aces while freshman Kava Durr had her best MW match with 14 kills. After recording a four-set career high 52 assists at San Jose State last Saturday, Madelyn Halteman topped herself with 54 assists and had six digs on Thursday. Reagan Leonard tallied 22 digs to build on her MW-leading total this season and Jessica Gilbert led the team with five blocks and had nine kills.
How it Happened
The Bulldogs used a huge run in the middle of the first set to pull away. Wyoming had a 13-10 lead when Fresno State went on a 7-0 run, with all seven points coming on kills, to force the Cowgirls to take both of their timeouts as the visitors took a 17-13 lead. Wyoming answered with three straight to make it 17-16, but the 'Dogs scored four more consecutive points. Slover hit .500 with six kills in the first set, the last of which ended it (watch).
Wyoming stayed close longer in the second set but hurt its own cause with five service errors in the set. The Bulldogs held the Cowgirls to .225 hitting in the set but neither team led by more than four points into the late stages. With the 'Dogs leading 20-19, Fresno State would end the set on a 5-0 run off a block and four kills, with Slover ending the second set with a kill as she did the first (watch).
The Cowgirls had an improved defensive effort in the third set, holding the 'Dogs to .233 hitting while swinging at .265 themselves. Wyoming led 18-13 and extended to a 22-16 advantage, but the Bulldogs used a 4-0 run to get back within a 22-20 deficit. Fresno State couldn't get any closer, however, as Wyoming clinched the set with a kill at 25-22.
Durr had seven of her 14 kills in the fourth set to help the 'Dogs close out the win. Wyoming outhit and outblocked the 'Dogs in the set but, like the second set, committed five service errors with no aces. There were 15 total ties in the set, which was last tied at 20-20. A Durr kill on a coach's challenge, a block from Slover and Gilbert, and a Wyoming attack error put the 'Dogs up 23-20. With Wyoming serving down 23-21, the last three points would be service errors, as the 14th of the night for the Cowgirls finished the Bulldog win (watch).
Notes
"I thought tonight the team was incredibly resilient. We didn't serve as tough as we are capable of, however we greatly improved with our offense this week. Taylor and Kava did a great job to kill lots of balls in and out of system, which was a huge lift to our team. Maddy again moved the ball around really well. In the end, I thought we simply hung in there when things were less than perfect and then made a few plays at the end of that 4th set to win the match."
On preparing to face Colorado State on Saturday…
"We will rest up, work on a few things, and get prepared for Colorado State. This team has earned everything and continues to learn and prepare at a tremendous rate, so I know we will be ready for a good match on Saturday."
What's Next
In a match that could end up deciding the MW title, Fresno State will play at 14-time league champion Colorado State at noon Pacific Time on Saturday. The Rams are a half game behind the Bulldogs at 9-2 in the MW after sweeping San Diego State on Thursday. Colorado State has won 42 consecutive home MW matches dating back to 2013. Fresno State earned a 3-1 home win over the Rams in September.
"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.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateVB
Instagram: FresnoStatevball
Facebook: FresnoStateVB
Fresno State (17-6, 9-1 MW) won its fifth consecutive match and gave Wyoming (15-8, 7-4 MW), which entered the night 11-0 at home this season, its first home loss. The Bulldogs outblocked the Cowgirls, who entered the match ranked second in NCAA Div. I averaging 3.00 blocks per set this season, 9.0-7.0 on Thursday. Fresno State won its fourth consecutive meeting with Wyoming but won in Laramie for the first time since 2013.
Slover added seven digs and a team-high two service aces while freshman Kava Durr had her best MW match with 14 kills. After recording a four-set career high 52 assists at San Jose State last Saturday, Madelyn Halteman topped herself with 54 assists and had six digs on Thursday. Reagan Leonard tallied 22 digs to build on her MW-leading total this season and Jessica Gilbert led the team with five blocks and had nine kills.
How it Happened
The Bulldogs used a huge run in the middle of the first set to pull away. Wyoming had a 13-10 lead when Fresno State went on a 7-0 run, with all seven points coming on kills, to force the Cowgirls to take both of their timeouts as the visitors took a 17-13 lead. Wyoming answered with three straight to make it 17-16, but the 'Dogs scored four more consecutive points. Slover hit .500 with six kills in the first set, the last of which ended it (watch).
Wyoming stayed close longer in the second set but hurt its own cause with five service errors in the set. The Bulldogs held the Cowgirls to .225 hitting in the set but neither team led by more than four points into the late stages. With the 'Dogs leading 20-19, Fresno State would end the set on a 5-0 run off a block and four kills, with Slover ending the second set with a kill as she did the first (watch).
The Cowgirls had an improved defensive effort in the third set, holding the 'Dogs to .233 hitting while swinging at .265 themselves. Wyoming led 18-13 and extended to a 22-16 advantage, but the Bulldogs used a 4-0 run to get back within a 22-20 deficit. Fresno State couldn't get any closer, however, as Wyoming clinched the set with a kill at 25-22.
Durr had seven of her 14 kills in the fourth set to help the 'Dogs close out the win. Wyoming outhit and outblocked the 'Dogs in the set but, like the second set, committed five service errors with no aces. There were 15 total ties in the set, which was last tied at 20-20. A Durr kill on a coach's challenge, a block from Slover and Gilbert, and a Wyoming attack error put the 'Dogs up 23-20. With Wyoming serving down 23-21, the last three points would be service errors, as the 14th of the night for the Cowgirls finished the Bulldog win (watch).
Notes
- Fresno State outhit Wyoming .293-.277 and led 59-52 in digs.
- The Bulldogs have had the same or more blocks than their opponent in 18 of 23 matches this year, going 16-2 in those 18 matches.
- The 'Dogs have won the first set in eight of 10 MW matches and in 16 of 23 total matches this year. They are now 14-2 when winning the first set.
- Fresno State has tied the program record for MW road wins at 5-1. The team combined the go 2-16 in road conference matches over the last two seasons.
- With 17 wins this season Fresno State has its most victories since winning 17 matches in 2013.
- The program record for MW wins is 11, set in 2013.
- Head Coach Jonathan Winder
"I thought tonight the team was incredibly resilient. We didn't serve as tough as we are capable of, however we greatly improved with our offense this week. Taylor and Kava did a great job to kill lots of balls in and out of system, which was a huge lift to our team. Maddy again moved the ball around really well. In the end, I thought we simply hung in there when things were less than perfect and then made a few plays at the end of that 4th set to win the match."
On preparing to face Colorado State on Saturday…
"We will rest up, work on a few things, and get prepared for Colorado State. This team has earned everything and continues to learn and prepare at a tremendous rate, so I know we will be ready for a good match on Saturday."
What's Next
In a match that could end up deciding the MW title, Fresno State will play at 14-time league champion Colorado State at noon Pacific Time on Saturday. The Rams are a half game behind the Bulldogs at 9-2 in the MW after sweeping San Diego State on Thursday. Colorado State has won 42 consecutive home MW matches dating back to 2013. Fresno State earned a 3-1 home win over the Rams in September.
"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.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateVB
Instagram: FresnoStatevball
Facebook: FresnoStateVB
Team Stats
FS
WY
Kills
58
54
Errors
17
16
Attempts
140
137
Hitting %
.293
.277
Points
70.0
65.0
Assists
56
48
Aces
3
4
Blocks
9.0
7.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
20
Aces
2
Blocks
1
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Players Mentioned
MB/OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's VolleyballOH
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