Fresno State Athletics
Sukhov named Preseason All-MW, ‘Dogs picked sixth
1/28/2021 1:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Fresno State senior outside hitter Desiree Sukhov was named to the Spring 2021 Preseason All-Mountain West team and Fresno State was picked to finish sixth, the conference announced on Thursday.
An All-MW selection and the Mountain West Newcomer of the Year last fall in her first season as a Bulldog after transferring from CSU Bakersfield, Sukhov becomes the third Bulldog ever named to the Preseason All-MW team since Fresno State joined the conference in 2012. Reagan Leonard earned the honor last season and Korrin Wild in 2013 were the two previous Bulldogs to earn Preseason All-MW honors.
A native of Murrieta, Calif., Sukhov led the MW and ranked 53rd in the nation with 3.95 kills per set while finishing second in the conference with 11.16 attempts per set and 4.57 points per set. Sukhov tallied 19 double-digit kill performances and recorded a season-high 30 kills against Santa Clara which tied for the fourth-most kills in a single match in program history. She also finished second on the team in digs (219), third in aces (30) and tied for fourth in blocks (42).
After finishing in tie with Nevada for sixth place in the MW with a 7-11 league record last year, the conference coaches selected the 'Dogs to repeat a sixth place finish this spring.
Reigning MW champion Colorado State was picked to win the league title for a 17th time while garnering five of 11 first place votes. UNLV was picked second and earned four first place votes, Wyoming came in third, Boise State fourth and San Diego State fifth before Fresno State at sixth. The Cowgirls and Aztecs split the final two first place votes with one apiece as the poll was rounded out by Nevada, Air Force, San Jose State, New Mexico and Utah State.
The Bulldogs bring back 12 returns from last season and welcome a pair of newcomers in junior libero/defensive specialist Moana To'oto'o, a transfer from San Francisco, and freshman middle blocker Kasey Purry from Arizona.
Fresno State opens the 2021 spring season on Feb. 12 at San Diego State.
2021 Mountain West Spring Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
2021 All-Mountain West Spring Volleyball Preseason Team
MW Preseason Player of the Year: Breana Runnels, Sr., OH, Colorado State
$ - 2019 All-Mountain West Selection
# - 2019 Preseason All-MW
! - 2019 MW Newcomer of the Year
% - 2019 MW Freshman of the Year
"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.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateVB
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Facebook: FresnoStateVB
An All-MW selection and the Mountain West Newcomer of the Year last fall in her first season as a Bulldog after transferring from CSU Bakersfield, Sukhov becomes the third Bulldog ever named to the Preseason All-MW team since Fresno State joined the conference in 2012. Reagan Leonard earned the honor last season and Korrin Wild in 2013 were the two previous Bulldogs to earn Preseason All-MW honors.
A native of Murrieta, Calif., Sukhov led the MW and ranked 53rd in the nation with 3.95 kills per set while finishing second in the conference with 11.16 attempts per set and 4.57 points per set. Sukhov tallied 19 double-digit kill performances and recorded a season-high 30 kills against Santa Clara which tied for the fourth-most kills in a single match in program history. She also finished second on the team in digs (219), third in aces (30) and tied for fourth in blocks (42).
After finishing in tie with Nevada for sixth place in the MW with a 7-11 league record last year, the conference coaches selected the 'Dogs to repeat a sixth place finish this spring.
Reigning MW champion Colorado State was picked to win the league title for a 17th time while garnering five of 11 first place votes. UNLV was picked second and earned four first place votes, Wyoming came in third, Boise State fourth and San Diego State fifth before Fresno State at sixth. The Cowgirls and Aztecs split the final two first place votes with one apiece as the poll was rounded out by Nevada, Air Force, San Jose State, New Mexico and Utah State.
The Bulldogs bring back 12 returns from last season and welcome a pair of newcomers in junior libero/defensive specialist Moana To'oto'o, a transfer from San Francisco, and freshman middle blocker Kasey Purry from Arizona.
Fresno State opens the 2021 spring season on Feb. 12 at San Diego State.
2021 Mountain West Spring Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Pl. | Team (1st-place votes) | Points |
| 1. | Colorado State (5) | 92 |
| 2. | UNLV (4) | 90 |
| 3. | Wyoming (1) | 80 |
| 4. | Boise State | 76 |
| 5. | San Diego State (1) | 70 |
| 6. | Fresno State | 48 |
| 7. | Nevada | 41 |
| 8. | Air Force | 33 |
| 9. | San José State | 28 |
| 10. | New Mexico | 25 |
| 11. | Utah State | 22 |
2021 All-Mountain West Spring Volleyball Preseason Team
| Player | Cl. | Pos. | Team |
| $!Desiree Sukhov | Sr. | OH | Fresno State |
| Alex Roumeliotis | Sr. | L | Colorado State |
| Ciera Zimmerman | So. | S | Colorado State |
| $#Mariena Hayden | Sr. | OH | UNLV |
| %Lauren Ohlinger | So. | OH | Boise State |
| $#Breana Runnels | Sr. | OH | Colorado State |
| Sarah Smevog | Jr. | L | San José State |
| $Jackie McBride | Sr. | MB | Wyoming |
MW Preseason Player of the Year: Breana Runnels, Sr., OH, Colorado State
$ - 2019 All-Mountain West Selection
# - 2019 Preseason All-MW
! - 2019 MW Newcomer of the Year
% - 2019 MW Freshman of the Year
"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.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateVB
Instagram: FresnoStatevball
Facebook: FresnoStateVB
Players Mentioned
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
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