'Dogs sweep Montana for first win of 2024

Saturday, August 31

Phoenix, AZ

4:30 p.m. PT

Fresno State

1-1,0-0Mountain West

Montana

0-2,0-0Big Sky

Montana

Fresno St.

'Dogs sweep Montana for first win of 2024

8/31/2024 11:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Holly Cassina / Strategic Communications Coordinator

PHOENIX – The Fresno State volleyball team secured its first win of the season in straight sets (25-15, 25-23, 25-20) over Montana on the second day of the GCU Invitational.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Montana opened the match, scoring three straight points to start the first set. Fresno State bounced back, taking a quick lead over the Griz that was held throughout the rest of the set. Ella Rud tallied six kills to open the match, closely followed by Kasey Purry who had four. Fresno State held a consistent lead over Montana and defeated the Griz 25-15, the largest point differential for the 'Dogs so far in 2024.

The Bulldogs started the second set in a similar fashion, dropping the first few points but quickly recovering the lead for the remainder of the match. The Griz had a late comeback, getting within two points of the 'Dogs with a score of 24-22, but a kill from Rud locked in a 25-23 win for Fresno State in the second set.

Montana put up a strong flight in the third set, staying within two points of Fresno State until the 'Dogs took a 16-13 lead with a kill by Addison Haluska to extend the lead to three. Preslee Lillard made her season debut for the Bulldogs in the third set and secured the match point with a solo block to close out the third set, 25-20.

NOTES

Ella Rud led the team in kills with 17, a team-high this season.
Ella Smith made her Fresno State debut in the third set, recording two kills and one solo block.

UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will close the GCU Invitational against the host Antelopes who remain undefeated in the tournament. The match is set to start at 2 p.m. PT at GCU Arena and will be streamed live on ESPN+. Live stats will be broadcast at BulldogsLive.com.