Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, September 4
Fresno, CA
7 P.M. PT
Fresno State
2-1
3
vs
2
UC Riverside
1-3
1
2
3
4
5
F
UC Riverside
23
25
15
25
15
2
Fresno State
25
21
25
21
17
3
Photo by: Vendila Yang - Fresno State Brand Strategy & Marketing
'Dogs prevail in thriller over UCR
9/4/2021 10:45:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Highlights
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State volleyball team prevailed in a five-set thriller over UC Riverside on Saturday evening at the Save Mart Center.
Fresno State claimed sets 25-23, 21-25, 25-15, 21-25, 17-15 against the Highlanders to win two of three matches at the Fresno State Invitational.
How It Happened
The Bulldogs got the match started with a back-and-forth opening set that saw seven ties. With the final tie coming at 21 apiece, the 'Dogs got a pair of blocks from Grace Doyle and Sukhov and a kill from Savanah Smith for a two-point lead and closed out the set with a kill from Smith and Ella Rud.
UC Riverside (1-3) answered back with a four-point win in set two as the set saw seven ties and five lead changes. The third set saw the 'Dogs come out of the short intermission on fire jumping out to a 15-9 lead after a kill by Sukhov with UCR unable to get any closer than five the remainder of the set.
UCR kept fighting to stay in the match with a four-point win in set four to force a fifth and deciding set. A service ace by Smith put the 'Dogs up 6-3, but UCR stormed back with three straight points to tie the set at six. A four-point spurt by the Bulldogs put the home team up 10-6, but the Highlanders refused to go away with a 5-1 run to tie the set at 11. The set remained close with UCR having a chance at match point leading 15-14, but the 'Dogs stayed resilient with three straight points to close out the win punctuated by a block from Kasey Purry and Sukhov.
Notables
Head Coach Jonathan Winder
On playing through UCR's adjustments…
"We're continuing to figure out the setting and hitting connection. Again, without much practice. Sav and Mikayla have a little bit of experience going fast on the red and that was pretty effective that last set for us."
On their upcoming games next weekend…
"I think that the level of play will be higher on the whole next weekend and that's the theme as we move towards conference is to keep moving up in level."
Up next
The Bulldogs head out on the road next week traveling to the Kansas State Invitational taking on Loyola Chicago (4-2), Ohio (0-5) and Kansas State (3-2).
"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 visit bulldogfoundation.org.
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateVB
Instagram:Â FresnoStatevball
Facebook:Â FresnoStateVB
- Fresno State is off to a 2-1 start after a five-set win over UC Riverside.
- Four Bulldogs finished with double-figure kills against the Highlanders led by 19 from Desiree Sukhov.
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State volleyball team prevailed in a five-set thriller over UC Riverside on Saturday evening at the Save Mart Center.
Fresno State claimed sets 25-23, 21-25, 25-15, 21-25, 17-15 against the Highlanders to win two of three matches at the Fresno State Invitational.
How It Happened
The Bulldogs got the match started with a back-and-forth opening set that saw seven ties. With the final tie coming at 21 apiece, the 'Dogs got a pair of blocks from Grace Doyle and Sukhov and a kill from Savanah Smith for a two-point lead and closed out the set with a kill from Smith and Ella Rud.
UC Riverside (1-3) answered back with a four-point win in set two as the set saw seven ties and five lead changes. The third set saw the 'Dogs come out of the short intermission on fire jumping out to a 15-9 lead after a kill by Sukhov with UCR unable to get any closer than five the remainder of the set.
UCR kept fighting to stay in the match with a four-point win in set four to force a fifth and deciding set. A service ace by Smith put the 'Dogs up 6-3, but UCR stormed back with three straight points to tie the set at six. A four-point spurt by the Bulldogs put the home team up 10-6, but the Highlanders refused to go away with a 5-1 run to tie the set at 11. The set remained close with UCR having a chance at match point leading 15-14, but the 'Dogs stayed resilient with three straight points to close out the win punctuated by a block from Kasey Purry and Sukhov.
Notables
- It is the seventh straight season the 'Dogs have started 2-1 or better.
- The Bulldogs have won two of their first three home matches in five straight seasons.
- Fresno State is now 11-5 under Coach Winder in five set matches and has won its last four such matches.
- Sukhov posted a double-double with a team-leading 19 kills and 12 digs.
- Rud also notched a double-double with 13 kills and 20 digs while Smith chipped in 14 kills and Doyle added 13 kills and five blocks.
- Purry registered a career-high seven blocks.
Head Coach Jonathan Winder
On playing through UCR's adjustments…
"We're continuing to figure out the setting and hitting connection. Again, without much practice. Sav and Mikayla have a little bit of experience going fast on the red and that was pretty effective that last set for us."
On their upcoming games next weekend…
"I think that the level of play will be higher on the whole next weekend and that's the theme as we move towards conference is to keep moving up in level."
Up next
The Bulldogs head out on the road next week traveling to the Kansas State Invitational taking on Loyola Chicago (4-2), Ohio (0-5) and Kansas State (3-2).
"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 visit bulldogfoundation.org.
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateVB
Instagram:Â FresnoStatevball
Facebook:Â FresnoStateVB
Team Stats
UCR
FS
Kills
57
67
Errors
24
25
Attempts
166
180
Hitting %
.199
.233
Points
68.0
88.0
Assists
56
65
Aces
7
9
Blocks
4.0
12.0
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
19
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
14
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
13
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's VolleyballOH
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