'Dogs taken down by No. 13 Colorado State

Thursday, November 7

Fresno, CA

6:00 PM PT

Fresno State

12-13, 5-8MW

No. 13 Colorado State

23-1, 13-0MW

Colorado State

Fresno State

Photo by: Kiel Maddox

'Dogs taken down by No. 13 Colorado State

11/7/2019 8:30:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery (Kiel Maddox)

By: Travis Blanshan / Assistant Director of Communications

FRESNO, Calif. - Welcoming their first ranked opponent to the Save Mart Center in more than five years, the Fresno State volleyball team battled hard on Thursday evening against No. 13 Colorado State falling in straight sets at the Save Mart Center.

Fresno State (12-13, 5-8 MW) was led offensively by junior outside hitter Amilya Thompson who finished with a team-high 10 kills while adding four digs and a service ace. It was the Stockton, Calif., native's seventh straight match with double-figure kills and 13th time this season.

Fifth-year senior setter Madelyn Halteman added 16 assists and junior libero Reagan Leonard tacked on 17 digs as she moved past Korrin Wild (2010-13) for seventh place all-time in program history in digs.

Colorado State (23-1, 13-0 MW) was led by redshirt senior outside hitter Jessica Jackson with 12 kills and redshirt junior outside hitter Breana Runnels added 10 kills.

How It Happened
Jumping out to a even 7-7 start to the opening set, a 6-0 run by the Rams put CSU ahead 13-7. The Rams increased their lead to seven at 19-12 after an attack error by freshman outside hitter Amaria Kelley. A kill by freshman middle blocker Grace Doyle cut the Rams lead to 21-15, but four of the final five points went to Colorado State for a 25-16 set win.

The second set saw the Bulldogs continue to battle drawing even at 12-12 after block assists from Halteman and redshirt freshman Rebecca Rendahl. A 6-0 run by the Rams put the visitors ahead 18-12, but a kill by Rendahl and service ace by Thompson brought the 'Dogs back within four. A kill by Runnels put CSU ahead 19-14, but a 6-0 run by the 'Dogs gave Fresno State the lead back at 20-19. Four straight points by the Rams put a damper on the 'Dogs hopes, but they continued to fight getting a service error and block assists from Halteman and Kelley to cut the CSU lead to 23-22. The final two points of the set went to the Rams for a 25-22 win.

Facing a 2-0 deficit, the Bulldogs took a quick 3-1 lead to the third set, but a 5-0 run by the Rams put them ahead 6-3. A kill by Kelley, two kills by Thompson and an attack error tied the set at 7-7, but a 12-6 run by Colorado State gave the Rams a 19-13 lead. A kill by Thompson briefly ended the run, but CSU scored six of the final seven points for a 25-15 set win to complete the sweep.

Notes

Leonard now has 1,214 career digs and is now 27 shy of Christina Lee (2011-14) in sixth place with 1,241.
The last time the 'Dogs hosted a ranked opponent came on Nov. 6, 2014 when then-No. 10 Colorado State swept the 'Dogs.
Junior outside hitter Savanah Smith saw her first action since Sept. 6 against Santa Clara.

Up next
The Bulldogs are back on the court on Saturday morning taking on Wyoming (16-8, 11-2 MW) at 11 a.m. PT at the Save Mart Center.

Prior to Saturday's match, the Fresno State volleyball program will hold a special pre-match ceremony where Bulldog volleyball legend Ruth Lawanson's No. 15 jersey will be unveiled in the rafters of the Save Mart Center.

"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley"" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.

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