Matt Weir/Collegian File Photo
Women’s basketball
With only eight more games before the Western Athletic Conference Tournament, the Fresno State Women’s basketball team is set to take on Louisiana Tech Saturday, Feb. 5, before returning home to host Boise State and Utah State. The ‘Dogs will end their regular season play facing all WAC opponents, but none more important than the Lady Techsters. Louisiana Tech remains their toughest opponent, being the only team the ‘Dogs have yet to dominate this season in conference play, dropping a close game, 94-92 on Jan. 13. Jaleesa Ross leads the team in scoring and broke the Fresno State all-time scoring record this season. The WAC Tournament will take place on March 9-12 in Las Vegas.
Men’s basketball
The Fresno State men’s basketball team will remain at home playing their next game Saturday, Feb. 5 against Louisiana Tech in a televised matchup on ESPNU. The men’s team is struggling this season and is stuck in a losing streak, winning only one of their last seven games prior to their Thursday night match-up against New Mexico. They have had varied success in their conference games this season, but have lost to all upcoming opponents so far. Freshman guard Kevin Olekaibe has shined in his first season, leading the team in scoring with 12 points per game. Center Greg Smith is second on the team with 11 points per game to go along with seven rebounds.
Softball
Early predictions from WAC coaches have Fresno State finishing second this year, as seniors Haley Gilleland and Caitlin Stiglich, along with junior Michelle Moses, were selected to the 2011 Preseason All-WAC. In a press release on Jan. 31, head coach Margie Wright said the ‘Dogs will continue its tradition of having a strong national schedule including 12 games against the Top 25 ranked teams in the USA Today/NFCA preseason coaches poll, and 12 games against the Top 25 ranked teams in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate preseason poll. The Fresno State softball program is entering its 34th year just nine wins shy of its 1,500 all-time victory. The ‘Dogs open their season at home on Feb. 12 with a doubleheader against Sacramento State before travelling the next weekend to participate in the San Diego State Classic I. The ‘Dogs will also serve as the hosts for the 2011 WAC Softball Tournament on May 11-14.
Baseball
Coming off a heartbreaking loss in last year’s WAC Championship, Fresno State is the early favorite to win it all. Seven players were named to the preseason All-WAC team. After being tabbed last year’s WAC player of the year, senior first baseman Jordan Ribera enters this season with three preseason All-American honors. The seven preseason All-WAC selections were the most by any team, including rival Hawaii, who had four players. Along with Ribera, junior outfielders Brennan Gowens and Dusty Robinson, senior shortstop Garrett Weber, senior third baseman Danny Muno, junior catcher Trent Garrison and senior starting pitcher Greg Gonzalez all made the team. As announced in December, the ‘Dogs will open their fourth straight season with a preseason ranking with Collegiate Baseball Newspaper as the No. 29 team in the nation. Fresno State will begin its schedule on Feb. 18.
Matt Weir/Collegian File Photo
Lacrosse
Despite losing its head coach in the offseason, the Fresno State women’s lacrosse team will enter its third season as a program. The ‘Dogs will kick off their season in an exhibition match against the Fresno men’s club team on Feb. 12, before travelling to Palo Alto to take on nationally-ranked Stanford. The team will spend the first month of their season on the road, before returning home to host Bryant University on March 7. Interim coaches Carlee Buck and Lindsay Gotham head this year’s squad as all but five players return this season. Entering into her third season, senior Krisdina Gehring became the first all-conference player after her excellent performance last season in only her second season playing the sport. After competing against several tough east coast opponents, the ‘Dogs will start April at home in an alumni exhibition match.
Tennis
On Wednesday, the Fresno State women’s tennis team opened its spring season at home competing against No. 40 Saint Mary’s. The team continues today against No. 49 Arizona and on Saturday face Nevada. Against both teams they have had strong success holding a 4-1 record over the Arizona Wildcats and a 17-1 record over the Nevada Wolf Pack all time. The ‘Dogs expect a tough, competitive doubles match from No. 68 Arizona’s Lacey Smyth and Kim Stubbe. Fresno State has its own ranked competitors in singles players No. 75 Marianne Jodoin and No. 81 Abby Haley. Fresno State will remain at home for a doubleheader against Sacramento State and Pacific Feb. 19.
Today, the No. 28 Fresno State Men’s team will take on No. 52 San Diego State, opening the first of four home matches for the ‘Dogs. After opening the spring season by defeating San Francisco 6-1, the ‘Dogs dropped two straight to No. 27 Florida State and No. 33 Minnesota. The doubles team of Remi Boutillier and Rikus de Villiers remain the pair to watch, as they continue to provide tough competition to their opponents and keep each match close. De Villiers was also recently acknowledged as the Verizon WAC Men’s Tennis Player of the Week for the third time in his career.