The Fresno State women̢۪s volleyball team has more wins at the halfway point in the season than the total of wins the team had all last year.

The ’Dogs have an overall record of 11-7. Last year the team had a season record of 7-20. This season the Bulldogs have not lost a game in Fresno – each one of the seven loses came on the road.

Coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell has pride in the 11 wins by the team, but doesn̢۪t focus solely on wins and losses. According to Netherby-Sewell, the improvement by the team has come from three things.

“Most importantly, [we have had] attention to detail, work effort and better skill execution,â€Â she said.

Senior Kelly Leonardo credits the number of wins this season to working hard and practice.

“You practice how you play, so practice has been hard,â€Â Leonardo said.

Not only does the team have a better overall record, but also has a better Western Athletic Conference (WAC) record.

This season in WAC play, the ̢۪Dogs have a record of 4-3, compared to last year̢۪s 3-13 conference record. The team̢۪s hard work led them to fourth place in the WAC standings about halfway through.

The three teams ahead of Fresno State in WAC records are Hawaii (8-0 in the WAC), New Mexico State (6-2) and Idaho (5-3).

For the first time since 2003, the ̢۪Dogs swept Boise State. Both matches against the Broncos, (2-6 in the WAC), went to five sets with the ̢۪Dogs winning in the last set in each match.

“It’s good we beat a team that we should be beating,â€Â senior Allanah Munson said.

The other two WAC wins have come against Utah State and Idaho. The Bulldogs split the season series against both teams. The ̢۪Dogs still have nine WAC games left in the season.

Netherby-Sewell said the team̢۪s goal is to win eight WAC games.

WAC play continues this week and Fresno State will face Louisiana Tech for the first time this season on Saturday in Ruston, Lou.

Netherby-Sewell said that Louisiana Tech will be a “feistyâ€Â competitor.

Munson, in her last season with the Bulldogs, wants the team to finish the season with the same game plan. “Continue to be a competitive team and continue to work together,â€Â Munson said.

Leonardo said that she wants to continue playing with a “fighting spiritâ€Â for the remainder of the season. If she and her teammates can continue to play with that spirit they should be well on their way to meeting their goal and winning eight WAC games in 2009.

Overall and WAC records as of Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. Thursday night̢۪s games not included in records.