Bulldogs Fall to Washington State in Pac-12 Opener

Thursday, September 24

Fresno, CA

6 p.m. PT

Fresno State

5-7,0-1Pac-12

Washington State

6-5,1-0Pac-12

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Washington St.	28	25	25	3
Fresno St.	26	18	21	0

Bulldogs Fall to Washington State in Pac-12 Opener

9/24/2026 9:34:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Holly Cassina / Strategic Communications Coordinator

FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State volleyball team opened its inaugural Pac-12 campaign with a three-set loss to Washington State (26-28, 18-25, 21-25) on Thursday evening at the Save Mart Center.

The Bulldogs moved to 5-7 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

Jenna Legault led Fresno State with a match-high 14 kills, while freshman Kiley Devery added nine kills on .313 hitting and a team-high five blocks. Gabby Lombardi finished with five kills, 16 assists and four digs, and Alivia Schneider paced the back row with eight digs.

Fresno State recorded six team blocks, with Andee May accounting for five, including a solo block. The Bulldogs also finished with five service aces.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bulldogs came out strong in the opening frame, with Gabby Lombardi putting down three of Fresno State's first four kills to help build a 5-3 advantage.

Fresno State extended its lead to 9-5 behind consecutive blocks from May and Devery, followed by a Washington-Devery block and a Washington State attack error.

The Cougars chipped away at the deficit, eventually tying the set at 11. The teams traded points through a 15-15 tie before Washington State scored three unanswered to take an 18-15 lead.

Fresno State continued to battle. Trailing 22-19, a Devery kill and a Legault kill helped bring the Bulldogs within one at 23-22. Legault and May then combined for a block to tie the set at 23.
After Washington State reached set point, a Cougar service error tied the frame at 24. Brooke Jenkins answered another set point with a kill before a Washington State attack error gave Fresno State its first set point at 26-25.

The Cougars responded with three straight points to take the opening set, 28-26.

The second set remained close early, with a Legault kill tying the score at 4. Washington State moved ahead 7-4, but Fresno State responded with three straight points behind a Devery kill, a May service ace and a Jenkins kill to even the frame at 7.

The Cougars regained control with a nine-point run, turning an 8-8 tie into a 17-8 advantage.

Fresno State answered with three consecutive points, including a Schneider service ace and a Legault kill, to cut the deficit to 17-11.

Legault added back-to-back kills to bring the Bulldogs within five at 18-13, but Washington State extended its lead to 21-13.

The Bulldogs continued fighting late, with Devery and Legault adding kills, before the Cougars closed the set, 25-18.

Fresno State opened the third set with a Legault kill and a Washington State attack error to take a 2-0 lead.

After the Cougars moved ahead 4-2, the Bulldogs responded with four straight points. Devery recorded two kills during the run, while Gabby Lombardi added a service ace to give Fresno State a 6-4 advantage.

The Bulldogs maintained their lead through the middle of the set. A Devery kill and a Washington State attack error extended the advantage to 9-6, while another Devery kill made it 12-9.

Legault helped Fresno State build its largest lead of the frame at 18-13, recording a kill and a service ace before combining with May on a block.

Washington State answered with five consecutive points to cut the Bulldogs' lead to 19-18.

Schneider stopped the run with a kill, and Bolich followed with a service ace to put Fresno State ahead 21-18.

The Cougars responded with seven unanswered points to close the set, 25-21, and secure the match.

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