Bulldogs head to Central California Challenge

Central California Challenge
Fresno State vs. Sacramento State
Sept. 16, 2022 • 12 P.M. PT • Icardo Center • Bakersfield, Calif.
Live: Live Stats • Live Updates on Twitter (@FresnoStateVB)
Series History: Fresno State leads 21-10

Fresno State vs. Pacific
Sept. 16, 2022 • 5 P.M. PT • Icardo Center • Bakersfield, Calif.
Live: Live Stats • Live Updates on Twitter (@FresnoStateVB)
Series History: Pacific leads 31-5

Fresno State at CSU Bakersfield
Sept. 17, 2022 • 4 P.M. PT • Icardo Center • Bakersfield, Calif.
Watch: ESPN+
Live: Live Stats • Live Updates on Twitter (@FresnoStateVB)
Series History: Fresno State leads 21-6

BULLDOG BONES

Fresno State closes out nonconference action at the Central California Challenge this weekend taking on Sacramento State, Pacific & CSU Bakersfield.
The Bulldogs are coming off a 1-2 weekend at the Santa Clara Invitational defeating Santa Clara in straight sets while falling in four sets apiece to Tulane and Oklahoma.
The 'Dogs are looking to finish .500 or better in nonconference action for the first time since 2019 when they went 7-5.
The Bulldogs will see familiar opponents in all three weekend foes leading the all-time series against Sacramento State & CSU Bakersfield.
Ella Rud was named to the Santa Clara Invitational All-Tournament Team totaling 30 kills & 20 digs in three matches.

By The Numbers
5 - Grace Doyle ranks fifth in the Mountain West in hitting percentage (.336)
3 - The 'Dogs rank third in the MW in assists (413) & kills (445)
6 - Hannah Waters has tallied six double-doubles in nine matches this season

Scouting Sacramento State

Sacramento State is off to a 3-6 start to the season with wins over Nevada, Saint Mary's & San Diego State.
The Hornets were picked to finish in a tie for fifth in the preseason Big Sky poll.
Sacramento State went 16-12 last season with a 10-6 mark in the Big Sky to tie for fourth in the conference.
Junior outside hitter Caitlin Volkmann leads the Hornets with a 2.92 kills per set.
Senior middle blocker Tiyanane Kamba-Griffin leads the Big Sky in blocks (48) and blocks per set (1.37).

Scouting Pacific

Pacific is 5-4 this season with wins over Northeastern, Chicago State, Eastern Illinois, Liberty & UC San Diego.
The Tigers were picked sixth in the preseason WCC poll.
Pacific is coming off a 13-16 season in 2021 going 10-8 in the WCC, good for fourth in the league.
The Tigers lead the WCC in assists per set (12.65), kills per set (13.50), assists (430) & kills (459).
Junior outside hitter Alexa Edwards is the Tigers' top hitter leading the WCC in attacks per set (11.18) along with kills (149) & attacks (380).
Senior libero Jadyn Tubbs ranks third in the WCC in digs (127) and averages 3.74 digs per set.

Scouting CSU Bakersfield

CSU Bakersfield is 3-6 with victories this season over California Baptist, Belmont & West Virginia.
The Roadrunners were selected sixth in the Big West preseason poll.
CSUB went 18-11 in 2021 while finishing fourth in the Big West with an 11-9 mark.
The Roadrunners rank in the top five in the Big West in aces per set (1.61), hitting percentage (.190), assists (335), kills (368), attacks (1,001) and blocks (62.0).
Individually, senior setter Laura De Pra ranks fourth in the Big West in assists (272) and assists per set (8.77).

'DOGS SWEEP SANTA CLARA AT SANTA CLARA INVITATIONAL

The Bulldogs completed their third sweep of the season last Saturday over Santa Clara.
Ella Rud was named to the Santa Clara Invitational All-Tournament Team after totaling 30 kills, 20 digs, seven assists and one service ace in the tournament.
Hannah Waters recorded her sixth double-double of the season against Oklahoma on Sunday tallying 12 assists and 10 digs.

2022 MW/NCAA rankings

Kills: 445 (3rd MW/85th NCAA)
Assists: 413 (3rd MW/80th NCAA)
Digs per set: 14.26 (3rd MW/143rd NCAA)
Digs: 499 (3rd MW/116th NCAA)
Team attacks: 1,202 (3rd MW/117th NCAA)
Attacks per set: 34.34 (5th MW/142nd NCAA)
Assists per set: 11.80 (6th MW/113rd NCAA)
Kills per set: 12.71 (6th MW/125th NCAA)

COWIE RETURNS TO LINEUP

Sophomore setter Brooke Cowie made her return to the lineup at the Santa Clara Invitational after missing the 'Dogs first two tournaments of the season.
Cowie tallied 59 assists leading the 'Dogs in assists in all three matches with 21 against Tulane, 17 against Santa Clara and 21 against Oklahoma.

DOYLE OUT TO HOT START

Senior middle blocker Grace Doyle has reached double figures in kills in eight of nine matches this season.
Doyle ranks fifth in the Mountain West in hitting percentage (.336) & points (142.0) and sixth in blocks (35).

POSTSEASON

For the second time since 2011, the Mountain West will host a postseason tournament to determine the conference's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament after Boise State claimed the title in 2021.
The top six teams in the regular season will head to Colorado State in Fort Collins, Colo. on Nov. 23-25.
This will be the 12th postseason tournament having also had a MW Tournament from 1999-2007.

"Fresno State Athletics - For The V: The Central Valley" - Bulldog student-athletes, coaches, and staff proudly wear the "Green V" to show their pride in representing the Central Valley. Stories of why the Bulldogs play for the "Green V" will be shared throughout the next year with #ForTheV. To become a Bulldog Foundation member or join "The Green V Society," please call 559-278-7160 or visit bulldogfoundation.org.

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Bulldogs head to Central California Challenge

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Players Mentioned

Brooke Cowie

Grace Doyle

Ella Rud

Hannah Waters

Fresno State Athletics

Bulldogs head to Central California Challenge

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Next Event

Players Mentioned

Brooke Cowie

Grace Doyle

Ella Rud

Hannah Waters

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