Fresno State Athletics
Friday, August 28
Columbus, OH
12 p.m. PT
Fresno State
0-1,0-0Pac-12
2
vs
3
Northern Kentucky
1-0,0-0Horizon
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno St. | 27 | 25 | 26 | 14 | 16 | 2 |
| Northern Ky. | 25 | 22 | 28 | 25 | 18 | 3 |
Players Mentioned
S
/ Women's Volleyball
Opp
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
Opp
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballTeam Stats
Fresno
NKU
Kills
57
78
Errors
24
34
Attempts
194
221
Hitting %
.170
.199
Points
78.0
97.0
Assists
57
75
Aces
5
8
Blocks
16
11
Game Leaders
Kills
22
Aces
2
Blocks
1
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
13
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
6
Bulldogs drop five-set battle to Northern Kentucky
8/28/2026 3:42:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Fresno State volleyball team opened the 2026 season with a five-set battle against Northern Kentucky on Friday afternoon, falling 3-2 (27-25, 25-22, 26-28, 14-25, 16-18) at the Covelli Center.
Jenna Legault led the Bulldogs with 22 kills and 19 digs, while Brooklyn Washington finished with eight kills on .353 hitting and 13 blocks. Olivia Lombardi added a team-high 24 digs, and Gabby Lombardi and Anna Bolich recorded 27 and 22 assists, respectively.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Northern Kentucky jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first set, but three straight Fresno State blocks helped the Bulldogs settle in and eventually take their first lead at 10-9.
The teams traded points late before Northern Kentucky reached set point at 24-23. Legault answered with a kill, Isabel Smart followed with another, and Legault served an ace before Brooke Jenkins closed the 27-25 win with a kill.
The second set featured 18 ties and stayed tight throughout. Fresno State gained separation late, taking a 20-18 lead behind a block from Andee May and Smart.
After Northern Kentucky tied the frame at 22, the Bulldogs scored the final three points to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Fresno State opened the third with a 9-4 advantage before Northern Kentucky responded with six unanswered points.
The Bulldogs later regained the lead and earned set point at 24-23 and again at 26-25, but the Norse scored the final three points to extend the match.
Washington opened the fourth with a kill, but Northern Kentucky quickly took control with a 5-0 run.
Fresno State cut the deficit to five behind consecutive blocks from Washington and Kiley Devery, but the Norse maintained their lead and forced a deciding fifth set.
Fresno State started fast in the fifth and led 4-1 behind a Legault kill and service ace.
The Bulldogs later used a 4-0 run, highlighted by strong play at the net from Washington and Smart, to take a 13-10 lead. Legault gave Fresno State match point at 14-11 and again at 15-14, but Northern Kentucky rallied and scored the final three points to win the set, 18-16.
NOTES
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs return to the Covelli Center tomorrow, August 28, to challenge Ohio State at 1 p.m. PT.
Jenna Legault led the Bulldogs with 22 kills and 19 digs, while Brooklyn Washington finished with eight kills on .353 hitting and 13 blocks. Olivia Lombardi added a team-high 24 digs, and Gabby Lombardi and Anna Bolich recorded 27 and 22 assists, respectively.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Northern Kentucky jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first set, but three straight Fresno State blocks helped the Bulldogs settle in and eventually take their first lead at 10-9.
The teams traded points late before Northern Kentucky reached set point at 24-23. Legault answered with a kill, Isabel Smart followed with another, and Legault served an ace before Brooke Jenkins closed the 27-25 win with a kill.
The second set featured 18 ties and stayed tight throughout. Fresno State gained separation late, taking a 20-18 lead behind a block from Andee May and Smart.
After Northern Kentucky tied the frame at 22, the Bulldogs scored the final three points to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Fresno State opened the third with a 9-4 advantage before Northern Kentucky responded with six unanswered points.
The Bulldogs later regained the lead and earned set point at 24-23 and again at 26-25, but the Norse scored the final three points to extend the match.
Washington opened the fourth with a kill, but Northern Kentucky quickly took control with a 5-0 run.
Fresno State cut the deficit to five behind consecutive blocks from Washington and Kiley Devery, but the Norse maintained their lead and forced a deciding fifth set.
Fresno State started fast in the fifth and led 4-1 behind a Legault kill and service ace.
The Bulldogs later used a 4-0 run, highlighted by strong play at the net from Washington and Smart, to take a 13-10 lead. Legault gave Fresno State match point at 14-11 and again at 15-14, but Northern Kentucky rallied and scored the final three points to win the set, 18-16.
NOTES
- Jenna Legault recorded a double-double with a career-high 22 kills and 19 digs, while adding two service aces.
- Brooklyn Washington posted a career-high 13 blocks, including two solo blocks, to go along with eight kills on .353 hitting.
- Olivia Lombardi led the Bulldogs with 24 digs.
- Isabel Smart recorded eight kills and six blocks in her Fresno State debut.
- Freshman Kiley Devery finished her collegiate debut with eight kills and five blocks.
- Anna Bolich tallied 22 assists and nine digs in her Bulldog debut.
- Fresno State totaled 16 blocks as a team.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs return to the Covelli Center tomorrow, August 28, to challenge Ohio State at 1 p.m. PT.
No videos available.