Bulldogs host Wolf Pack & Spartans to open MW play

Fresno State vs. Nevada
Sept. 22, 2022 • 6 P.M. PT • Save Mart Center • Fresno, Calif.
Watch: Mountain West Network
Live: Live Stats • Live Updates on Twitter (@FresnoStateVB)
Series History: Fresno State leads 31-27
Buy Tickets

Fresno State vs. San Jose State
Sept. 24, 2022 • 1 P.M. PT • Save Mart Center • Fresno, Calif.
Watch: CW59/Mountain West Network
Live: Live Stats • Live Updates on Twitter (@FresnoStateVB)
Series History: San Jose State leads 54-37
Buy Tickets

Promotions

Thursday: End of Summer Bash: First 100 fans receive free leis
Saturday: Green V Day: $2 off tickets

BULLDOG BONES

Fresno State opens Mountain West play this week at home hosting Nevada and San Jose State.
The Bulldogs are coming off a 2-1 weekend at the Central California Challenge earning wins over Sacramento State and CSU Bakersfield while falling in five sets to Pacific.
The 'Dogs closed out nonconference action with a 6-6 mark and are one of nine MW teams to enter MW play with six or more wins.
Kasey Purry was named to the Central California Challenge All-Tournament Team totaling 23 kills & 19 blocks in three matches in Bakersfield.
Fresno State is 5-5 in Mountain West openers with wins in 2012, 2013, 2018, 2019 & Spring 2021.
It is the first time since 2019 the Bulldogs are opening MW play at home.
The 'Dogs have won six straight overall over Nevada and four in a row at home.

By The Numbers
6 - The Bulldogs have won six straight over Nevada
33 - Grace Doyle ranks 33rd in the nation in total blocks (54)
63 - Fresno State checks in 63rd in the country in kills (588)

Scouting Nevada

Nevada went 6-5 in nonconference action and is coming off a sweep over Texas Southern on Sept. 17
The Wolf Pack have already doubled their win total from 2021 when they went 3-26, including 0-18 in the MW.
Nevada also has wins over CSUN, Gonzaga, Idaho State, Tennessee State & Cal.
The Wolf Pack lead the MW and rank in the top 10 in the nation in digs per set (17.12) and attacks per set (38.07).
Sixth-year senior Kayla Afoa has been a standout for the Wolf Pack leading the MW in attacks per set (13.62), kills per set (4.40), points per set (4.77) and kills (185).
Junior libero Hikialani Kaohelaulii leads the MW in digs per set (4.70).

Scouting San Jose State

San Jose State is off to a 6-4 start to the season going 2-1 at the Trojan Challenge in Los Angeles last weekend with wins over New Mexico State and Milwaukee.
The Spartans, who went 19-10 last season, finished third in the Mountain West with a 13-5 record.
SJSU has also picked up wins over Southern Utah, UC Riverside, Saint Mary's & Sacramento State.
San Jose State ranks second in the MW in assists per set (12.74) & kills per set (13.61).
Fifth-year senior libero Sarah Smevog ranks third in the MW in digs per set (4.03) and sixth in digs (153).

'DOGS WIN PAIR AT CENTRAL CALIFORNIA CHALLENGE

The Bulldogs wrapped up play at the Central California Challenge hosted by CSU Bakersfield defeating Sacramento State in five sets and CSU Bakersfield in four sets.
Kasey Purry was named to the Central California Challenge All-Tournament Team after totaling 23 kills and 19 blocks in the tournament.
The Bulldogs are 1-3 in five set matches this season earning their first five-set victory against Sacramento State rallying from down two sets to one for the win.

2022 MW/NCAA rankings

Assists: 548 (2nd MW/57th NCAA)
Kills: 588 (2nd MW/63rd NCAA)
Team attacks: 1,595 (2nd MW/83rd NCAA)
Blocks: 108.0 (3rd MW/44th NCAA)
Digs: 652 (3rd MW/101st NCAA)
Service aces: 77 (4th MW/68th NCAA)
Blocks per set: 2.20 (4th MW/109th NCAA)
Aces per set: 1.57 (5th MW/135th NCAA)

DOYLE OFF TO HOT START

Grace Doyle continues her torrid start to the season finishing with double figure kills in all three matches at the Central California Challenge and has now reached that mark in 11 of 12 matches this season.
She set a new career high with 11 blocks against Pacific and enters this weekend with 54 to rank third in the Mountain West and 33rd in the nation.
Doyle also leads the team with a .339 hitting percentage to rank fourth in the MW.

COWIE RETURNS TO LINEUP

Sophomore setter Brooke Cowie made her return to the lineup two weeks ago at the Santa Clara Invitational after missing the 'Dogs first two tournaments of the season.
The Scottsdale, Ariz. native has made an impact in her return to the court leading the 'Dogs in assists in all six matches she has played this season and had a season-high 31 assists in a four-set win over CSU Bakersfield.

MOUNTAIN WEST PLAY

Fresno State is 5-5 in Mountain West openers with wins over Boise State (2012), Utah State (2013), San Diego State (2018), Nevada (2019) & San Diego State (Spring 2021).
Fresno State dropped its MW opener last season at New Mexico in straight sets.
The 'Dogs have opened MW play at home in 2013, 2015, 2018 & 2019.

PERFECT WHEN

The 'Dogs are 6-0 when leading their opponent in hitting percentage and 5-0 when leading in kills.

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.

Follow us on:
Twitter:@FresnoStateVB
Instagram:FresnoStatevball
Facebook:FresnoStateVB

Bulldogs host Wolf Pack & Spartans to open MW play

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Brooke Cowie

Grace Doyle

Kasey Purry

Bulldogs host Wolf Pack & Spartans to open MW play

Related News

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Brooke Cowie

Grace Doyle

Kasey Purry

Related Videos