'Dogs welcome Aggies to Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. - The Bulldogs welcome Utah State to the Save Mart Center for a pair of matches on Friday and Saturday.

Match 5: Fresno State (3-1, 3-1 MW) vs. Utah State (0-4, 0-4 MW)
Feb. 26, 2021 • 6 P.M. PT • Save Mart Center • Fresno, Calif.
Watch: Mountain West Network
Live: Live Stats • Live Updates on Twitter (@FresnoStateVB)
Series History: FS leads 21-13 • Last: FS 3-0 (11/23/19)

Match 6: Fresno State (3-1, 3-1 MW) vs. Utah State (0-4, 0-4 MW)
Feb. 27, 2021 • 7 P.M. PT • Save Mart Center • Fresno, Calif.
Watch: Mountain West Network
Live: Live Stats • Live Updates on Twitter (@FresnoStateVB)
Series History: FS leads 21-13 • Last: FS 3-0 (11/23/19)

Bulldog Bones

The 'Dogs are off to a 3-1 start to the season after a pair of wins over San Jose State.
Fresno State sits in third place in the Mountain West.
The Bulldogs have won five straight matches and nine of the last 10 over Utah State.
The 'Dogs are 7-0 at home against the Aggies since USU moved into the MW in 2013.
With a pair of wins over the Aggies this weekend, the 'Dogs will win their first four home matches in a season for the first time since 2001.

By The Numbers
3 - Fresno State ranks third in the Mountain West & 21st in the nation in blocks per set (2.73)
5 - The 'Dogs have won five straight matches over Utah State
.145 - Opponent hitting percentage leads the MW and ranks 36th in the nation

Scouting Utah State (0-4, 0-4 MW)

Utah State enters this weekend's matches with a 0-4 overall record & a 0-4 mark in the MW.
The Aggies were off last weekend and have lost a pair of matches at home against Wyoming and at Boise State.
For a third week in a row, the Bulldogs will be facing a first-year head coach as the Aggies are led by Rob Neilson who comes over from USA Volleyball and has also coached at BYU.
Utah State was selected 11th in the MW Preseason Coaches' Poll after finishing 2-28 in 2019.
Junior outside hitter Kristy Frank leads the Aggies with 46 kills while sophomore setter Kalena Vaivai averages 9.00 assists per set to rank fifth in the MW.
Junior middle blocker Corinne Larsen ranks second in the MW at 1.29 blocks per set.
USU ranks third in the MW with digs per set (14.93) and team attacks per set (35.86).

Staying Hot

The 'Dogs will look to stay hot this weekend extending their win streak to four against Utah State.
The Bulldogs last won four straight home matches last season with wins over CSUN, Santa Clara, Nevada and San Jose State.

Career highs

A number of 'Dogs set or matched career highs last Friday in a five-set win over San Jose State.
Amilya Thompson set new career highs in digs (18) and assists (26).
Jocelyn Rodriguez set a new career high with 26 digs.
Savanah Smith tallied a career high seven blocks.
Desiree Sukhov matched her career high with three service aces.

Home Openers

The Bulldogs won their home opener for a fourth time in five seasons with a sweep over San Jose State last Thursday.

Home Streaking

The 'Dogs last won their first four home matches in a season in 2001 when they won their first eight home matches.

Five-set winning streak

Fresno State has won its last two five-set battles and eight of its last 11 dating back to the 2018 season.

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.

"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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'Dogs welcome Aggies to Fresno

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Players Mentioned

Kasey Purry

Jocelyn Rodriguez

Savanah Smith

Desiree Sukhov

Amilya Thompson

Moana To'oto'o

Fresno State Athletics

'Dogs welcome Aggies to Fresno

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Players Mentioned

Kasey Purry

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Savanah Smith

Desiree Sukhov

Amilya Thompson

Moana To'oto'o

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