Fresno State Athletics
Friday, February 19
Fresno, CA
6 P.M. PT
Fresno State
3-1, 3-1MW
3
vs
2
San Jose State
1-5, 1-5MW
1
2
3
4
5
F
San Jose State
21
25
28
20
9
2
Fresno State
25
18
26
25
15
3
Photo by: Keith Kountz
'Dogs rally in five-set thriller over Spartans
2/19/2021 9:40:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
FRESNO, Calif. - Rallying to win the final two sets, the Bulldog volleyball team defeated San Jose State in five sets on Friday evening at the Save Mart Center.
The 'Dogs won set one, 25-21 before the Spartans claimed sets two, 25-18 and set three, 28-26. Fresno State rallied for wins in the final two sets, 25-20 and 15-9.
Leading the way offensively for Fresno State (3-1, 3-1 MW) was senior Desiree Sukhov who finished with 22 kills while hitting .316 and added 10 digs for a double-double. The 2019 Mountain West Newcomer of the Year also matched her career high with three aces and tacked on two assists.
A day after finishing with 17 assists, senior Amilya Thompson stayed in a giving mode handing out 26 assists while senior Jocelyn Rodriguez set a new career high with 26 digs.
Senior outside hitter Savanah Smith was a force at the net finishing with a career high seven blocks while sophomore Grace Doyle added two solo blocks and three block assists.
How It Happened
Winning the opening set for the second straight match, the 'Dogs fell behind 18-16 to start only to rally for nine of the next 12 points for a 25-21 win. A kill from Doyle, one of 10 from her in the match, broke a 21-21 tie as the 'Dogs scored the final four points of the set to get off to a strong start.
Held to its lowest point total in a set so far this season, the Bulldogs dropped the second set, 25-18. A thrilling third set saw the 'Dogs and Spartans have 13 ties and three lead changes with ties at 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 before SJSUÂ got a kill and block to take a 2-1 lead.
The Bulldogs would not go away easily winning set four, 25-20 using a 8-2 run late in the set to break a 15-15 tie as an ace by Sukhov gave the 'Dogs a 23-17 lead. Two more blocks by the 'Dogs gave the home team the set win to force a deciding fifth set.
Jumping out to a 8-3 lead, the Spartans cut it to 9-6 to force a Bulldog timeout. Out of the break, the 'Dogs rolled off five straight points and a kill by Thompson sealed the win for the Fresno State.
Notables
Fresno State stays home next weekend to host Utah State (0-4, 0-4 MW) at 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.
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateVB
Instagram:Â FresnoStatevball
Facebook:Â FresnoStateVB
Â
The 'Dogs won set one, 25-21 before the Spartans claimed sets two, 25-18 and set three, 28-26. Fresno State rallied for wins in the final two sets, 25-20 and 15-9.
Leading the way offensively for Fresno State (3-1, 3-1 MW) was senior Desiree Sukhov who finished with 22 kills while hitting .316 and added 10 digs for a double-double. The 2019 Mountain West Newcomer of the Year also matched her career high with three aces and tacked on two assists.
A day after finishing with 17 assists, senior Amilya Thompson stayed in a giving mode handing out 26 assists while senior Jocelyn Rodriguez set a new career high with 26 digs.
Senior outside hitter Savanah Smith was a force at the net finishing with a career high seven blocks while sophomore Grace Doyle added two solo blocks and three block assists.
How It Happened
Winning the opening set for the second straight match, the 'Dogs fell behind 18-16 to start only to rally for nine of the next 12 points for a 25-21 win. A kill from Doyle, one of 10 from her in the match, broke a 21-21 tie as the 'Dogs scored the final four points of the set to get off to a strong start.
Held to its lowest point total in a set so far this season, the Bulldogs dropped the second set, 25-18. A thrilling third set saw the 'Dogs and Spartans have 13 ties and three lead changes with ties at 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 before SJSUÂ got a kill and block to take a 2-1 lead.
The Bulldogs would not go away easily winning set four, 25-20 using a 8-2 run late in the set to break a 15-15 tie as an ace by Sukhov gave the 'Dogs a 23-17 lead. Two more blocks by the 'Dogs gave the home team the set win to force a deciding fifth set.
Jumping out to a 8-3 lead, the Spartans cut it to 9-6 to force a Bulldog timeout. Out of the break, the 'Dogs rolled off five straight points and a kill by Thompson sealed the win for the Fresno State.
Notables
- Thompson set a new career high in digs (18) and assists (26).
- Rodriguez set a new career high with 26 digs.
- Sukhov matcher her career high with three service aces.
- Smith had a career-high seven blocks.
- The Bulldogs last won their first two home matches in 2017 with wins over CSU Bakersfield and Nevada.
- It was the 'Dogs first five-set win since Sept. 6, 2019 against Santa Clara.
Fresno State stays home next weekend to host Utah State (0-4, 0-4 MW) at 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.
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateVB
Instagram:Â FresnoStatevball
Facebook:Â FresnoStateVB
Â
Team Stats
SJ
FS
Kills
63
60
Errors
24
16
Attempts
175
166
Hitting %
.223
.265
Points
75.0
80.0
Assists
56
58
Aces
8
9
Blocks
4.0
11.0
Game Leaders
Kills
22
Aces
3
Blocks
0
Kills
10
Aces
1
Blocks
5
Kills
9
Aces
1
Blocks
7
Kills
9
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
MB
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