Volleyball opens season in San Diego

FRESNO, Calif. - After a 14-month layoff, the Fresno State volleyball team opens the spring season this weekend at San Diego State.

Fresno State at San Diego State
Feb. 12, 2021 • 5 P.M. PT • Peterson Gym (2,000) • San Diego, Calif.
Watch: Mountain West Network
Live: Live Stats • Live Updates on Twitter (@FresnoStateVB)
Series History: SDSU leads 32-16-1 • Last: SDSU 3-0 (11/12/19)

Fresno State at San Diego State
Feb. 13, 2021 • 2 P.M. PT • Peterson Gym (2,000) • San Diego, Calif.
Watch: N/A
Live: Live Stats • Live Updates on Twitter (@FresnoStateVB)
Series History: SDSU leads 32-16-1• Last: SDSU 3-0 (11/12/19)

Bulldog Bones

The 'Dogs begin their 56th season on the court on Friday in San Diego.
Fresno State is coming off a 14-16 overall campaign in 2019 and tied for sixth in the Mountain West.
The Bulldogs will play a Mountain West-only schedule this spring with eight matches at home and eight on the road.
The 'Dogs are 1-7 at SDSU since joining the MW in 2012 with their lone win coming in 2018.

By The Numbers
56 - The 'Dogs get their 56th season as a program underway on Friday
447 - Days since the Bulldogs last played - Nov. 23, 2019 at Utah State
36 - 'Dogs total number of wins over the last two seasons - the most in a two-year span since 2002 & 2003 (44)

Scouting San Diego State (0-2, 0-2 MW)

San Diego State comes into Friday's match with a 0-2 overall record & a 0-2 mark in the MW after falling in a pair of matches at UNLV last weekend.
This will be the Aztecs' first home matches of the year and first match at home since Nov. 14, 2019.
SDSU is coming off a 15-14 overall record in 2019 and finished fifth in the MW with a 8-10 mark.
Brent Hilliard enters his first season on the sideline for the Aztecs after coming over from the University of San Diego where he was the Toreros' associate head coach from 2007-19.
San Diego State was selected fifth in the MW Preseason Coaches' Poll.
Redshirt junior Camryn Machado is a returning All-MW selection at setter.
Junior outside hitter Victoria Sullivan leads the team with 24 kills while hitting .317 & freshman setter Kennedy Feuerborn has a team-high 33 assists.

2021 Spring Openers

Fresno State brings back 12 returners this spring while welcoming a pair of newcomers.
The 2019 Bulldogs finished 14-16 overall and 7-11 in the MW to tie for sixth in the MW with Nevada.
The Bulldogs have combined to win 36 matches in head coach Jonathan Winder's first two years, the most wins in a two-year span since 2002 & 2003 (44).
The 'Dogs return a pair of All-Mountain West selections in seniors Desiree Sukhov and Reagan Leonard.
Sukhov was also named the MW Newcomer of the Year in 2019, the second 'Dog to earn the award after Holly Franks won the award in 2013.

Starting Strong

The Bulldogs have won their season opener in nine of the last 12 seasons.
The 'Dogs have also started 2-0 in each of the last four seasons.
Fresno State last opened the season in a true road game in 2012 as the 'Dogs won a five-set battle at UTEP.
The Bulldogs had reeled off wins in eight straight road openers from 2011-18 before falling in straight sets at Green Bay last season.
The last time the 'Dogs lost their first road game of the season was at Utah Valley in 2010.

MW Preseason Poll

Fresno State was selected sixth in the preseason MW Coaches Poll on Jan. 28.
The 'Dogs tied for sixth in the MW a season ago after being picked to finish sixth in the preseason poll.

Sukhov named Preseason All-MW

Senior outside hitter Desiree Sukhov was one of eight players named to the Preseason All-MW team.
She was one of four All-Mountain West selections from 2019 to be named to this year's preseason team.
Sukhov became the third Bulldog to be named to the Preseason All-MW team since joining the conference in 2012.

Firepower returning

The 'Dogs return 86 percent of their kills from a season ago (1115/1295), 85 percent of their digs (1249/1468) and 73 percent of their service aces (138/190).
The Bulldogs bring back their top five players in kills, five of their top six in service aces and digs and five of the top seven in blocks.

New 'Dogs

A year after welcoming 10 newcomers, the Bulldogs only have two new players this spring.
Junior libero/defensive specialist Moana To'oto'o joins the Bulldogs after two seasons at San Francisco where she played in 28 matches and 84 sets.
Freshman middle blocker Kasey Purry joins the 'Dogs from Arizona after leaving Sahuaro High School as the school's all-time leader in kills and blocks.

Mountain West-only schedule

With the typical non-conference opponents off the schedule, the 'Dogs will play five MW opponents at home and five MW opponents on the road.
The 'Dogs will open and close the season on the road with all eight of its home matches coming in a 12-match stretch.

Postseason

The winner of the regular season will represent the Mountain West in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
The tournament will be held April 13-24 in Omaha, Neb.

"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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Volleyball opens season in San Diego

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Reagan Leonard

Kasey Purry

Desiree Sukhov

Moana To'oto'o

Fresno State Athletics

Volleyball opens season in San Diego

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Reagan Leonard

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Desiree Sukhov

Moana To'oto'o

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