Matt Weir / The Collegian
Coming off a 15-16 season and a fourth-place finish in the Western Athletic Conference, the ‘Dogs were looking for another hot start in 2010. Hosting UC Riverside, Santa Clara and No. 20 Oregon, the Bulldogs, led by senior Kelly Mason, were trying to match last season’s 6-1 start.
Fresno State opened the tournament Friday night inside the Save Mart Center with a straight-sets victory over UC Riverside. Led by sophomore Marissa Brand’s 11 kills and Mason’s 17 digs, the ‘Dogs handled the Highlanders, but it wasn’t easy. Fresno State managed to escape the first set despite being down for much of the contest. It wasn’t until the final three points that the Bulldogs were able to pull away for a 26-24 win.
The second set saw much of the same, with Fresno State having to rally late for a 25-22 win, then closed the game winning the third set easily 25-19.
Over 1,500 fans filled the Save Mart Center seats to see continued play Saturday afternoon when the ‘Dogs took on Santa Clara for the first part of the day’s double-header.
After dropping the first set to the Broncos, Fresno State bounced back with the equalizer to win the second. But the third and fourth sets all belonged to Santa Clara, downing the ‘Dogs 25-15 and closing the match out 25-14.
Mason again paced the Bulldogs with her consistent play from the libero position, recording 20 digs while teammate Erin Stock posted all 39 assists.
But the tournament schedule only got tougher for Fresno State as the day wore on. In the evening the ‘Dogs took on nationally ranked Oregon in the tournament’s final match.
Head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell’s squad got off to a rough start, dropping the first set 25-16 as the Ducks led the ‘Dogs from the outset. Fresno State rebounded, however, in the second set by jumping on Oregon early and often for a 25-22 set win.
Despite Mason’s 17-dig effort and Stock’s 37 assists, the Ducks once again proved why they are national contenders, taking both the third and fourth sets, along with the tournament. Stock concluded the tournament with 104 assists while preseason All-WAC selection junior Brianna Clarke recorded 20 blocks.
Mason was named to the Fresno State Classic All-Tournament Team for the second straight year for her 54-dig effort over the course of two days.
Although the Bulldogs struggled through the final two games of the tournament, they don’t have much time to correct their miscues before resuming play on Thursday. Fresno State travels to Orem, Utah to take on Air Force, then faces Utah Valley two days later.
The tournament does not mark the last volleyball event hosted by Fresno State this season. The Bulldogs will again host another round-robin style tournament with the Fresno State Invitational. Cal State-Bakersfield, Sacramento State and USC will travel to the Save Mart Center on Sept. 17.