Bulldogs outlasted by Boise State in five sets

Thursday, November 1

Fresno, Calif.

7 P.M. PT

Fresno State

17-8, 9-3MW

Boise State

15-9, 7-6MW

Boise State

Fresno State

Bulldogs outlasted by Boise State in five sets

11/1/2018 10:40:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Andrew Tomsky / Assistant Director of Communications

FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State and Boise State alternated sets wins and, after the 'Dogs battled back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to force a fifth set, the Broncos emerged victorious with a 3-2 (25-17, 20-25, 25-23, 14-25, 15-10) win over the Bulldogs on Thursday night.

Fresno State (17-8, 9-3 MW) dropped its second straight match after a 9-1 start to conference play and lost for just the second time on its home floor this season. After earning a 3-1 win over the 'Dogs in Boise earlier this season, Boise State (15-9, 7-6 MW) completed a season sweep of Fresno State and has now won 10 consecutive meetings between the teams.

The 'Dogs were outblocked for just the 7^th time this season as the Broncos held a 14.0-9.0 edge in the match. The Bulldogs had nine more kills than Boise State and held the visitors to a .187 hitting percentage but hit just .150 themselves. Madelyn Halteman tallied 46 assists, 10 digs, five kills, and two service aces and Taylor Slover also had a double-double with 20 kills and 13 digs. Five total Bulldogs had double-digit digs and Haile Watson led with five blocks.

How it Happened
The Broncos came out strong in set one, outhitting the 'Dogs .480-.161 in the period with 13 kills and just one attack error. Fresno State battled back from an early 7-2 deficit to forge three ties in the set but never could gain a lead. With the 'Dogs within a 17-15 deficit, Boise State ended the set on an 8-2 run to take the early lead.

The 'Dogs held the Broncos to .103 hitting in the second set to even up the match. Fresno State had as large as an 18-10 lead before the Broncos battled back to within three points. Leading 22-19, the 'Dogs scored two straight points to reach set point and won it, 25-20, on a kill from Aubrey Folk (watch).

Set three had the closest finish as the Broncos regained the match lead. Slover tallied five kills in the set and, after an early 9-3 deficit, the Bulldogs battled back to eventually even the set at 21-21. It was tied again at 23-23, but Boise State was able to close out the set as a kill and a Bulldog attack error gave the visitors the last two points.

Fresno State dominated Boise State in the fourth set, outhitting the Broncos .297 to -.062 as Boise State had just seven kills and nine attack errors in the set. The 'Dogs had three blocks in the set and used an early 6-0 run to pull ahead 9-4. Fresno State added a 5-0 run later in the set to take a 20-9 lead and won it 25-14 on a kill from Slover (watch).

The Bulldogs ran out of gas in the fifth set as they hit -.087 with four kills and six attack errors. Fresno State took an early 6-4 lead and was still ahead 8-6 before a 6-1 run put Boise State on top 12-9. The Broncos extended to a 9-2 spurt to end the match, with the only Bulldog points coming on a pair of Boise State service errors.

Notes

The 'Dogs played their first five-set match in MW play, dropping to 4-2 overall in five-set matches this year.
Slover recorded her 12^th double-double of the season, tied for the most by a Bulldog in a season since Zana Bowens had 12 double-doubles in 2015.
Slover totaled 20 or more kills for the fourth time this season and has had double-digit kills in eight straight matches.
Fresno State took just its fifth loss over the last 21 home matches.
The Bulldogs lost the first set for just the fourth time in 12 MW matches.
Thursday's attendance was 1,034 as Fresno State drew more than 1,000 fans for the sixth time this season.

What's Next
Fresno State hosts Utah State on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Saturday's match will be Jr Bulldog Kids Club Day with FREE admission for kids with a paid adult and a kid's corner with fun activities, including the chance to take a picture with Victor E. Bulldog.

"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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