On Saturday, the Fresno State women’s volleyball team will host the undefeated Colorado State Rams. But first it had to go through a revenge-seeking Wyoming Cowgirls.
And in a four-set showdown, the Cowgirls won 18-25, 25-16, 26-24, 28-26.
The Cowgirls (18-13, 8-9 Mountain West Conference) still remember their Oct. 26 matchup, when they were swept at their own house by Fresno State. And they came into the Save Mart Center ready to play their best.
The Bulldogs (17-12, 11-6 MWC), on the other hand, needed to keep its composure and play the same disciplined, focused volleyball that they executed against Wyoming nearly a month ago.
“It looked like they felt a little too much pressure to win,” said Fresno State coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell. “They came out thinking that it was going to be an easy match, but we know better.”
Senior outside hitter Korrin Wild finished the game with 22 kills, her fourth 20-plus kill match of the season. Right side hitter Holly Franks had a double-double with 13 kills and 12 digs. The Bulldogs outhit the Cowgirls (.209-.159), but Wyoming had more blocks (18-12).
“I give credit to Wyoming. They played a decent game defensively,” Netherby-Sewell said.
Fresno State began Set 1 with a Wild kill, then used a quick-pass attack to keep the lead. Wyoming’s weakness was its hitting game. The Cowgirls committed nine errors, while posting only eight kills in the frame.
Cowgirl outside hitter Kayla Slofkiss led her team with three kills and a .286 hit percentage, but the team finished the set hitting -.030. Wild’s five kills were the highest for the Bulldogs in the frame, while Fresno State middle blocker Maci Murdock had five digs and hit .286.
The fortunes reversed in Set 2. The Cowgirls improved their hitting and rallied behind Reese Plante’s five kills and the team’s .324 hit percentage. The Bulldogs had 12 kills and nine errors out of 36 total attacks to hit .083. Wild had six kills in the frame, but Wyoming did enough damage to post a 25-16 set victory and tie the match at the half.
In Set 3, the Bulldogs jumped to a healthy 20-15 lead, but the Cowgirls outscored Fresno State 7-2 and tied the contest at 22. Back and forth volleyball ensued, and the home team was unable to keep its lead and dropped the frame to give Wyoming the 2-1 game lead.
Wyoming continued its offense in Set 4 and posted a 4-1 lead before Netherby-Sewell called a timeout. After, the Bulldogs rallied and tied the contest at seven. Wild and Murdock led an aggressive, fast-paced offense to lead 21-17, but the Cowboys equated the quick game play with unyielding defense and tied the frame at 22.
The Bulldogs and Cowboys exchanged points afterward, and everyone on the floor showed no desire to quit. Both teams had to go beyond the 25 points needed to win the set, as the frame was tied at 23, 24, 25 and 26.
But after the 26-26 tie, Wyoming outside hitter Bridget Shanahan smacked an assist by setter Rachel Keyes, and Slofkiss spiked another set by Keyes for the two points needed to win the game.
Now with two losses in a row, the Bulldogs are looking to snap their losing streak against the Rams on Senior Day.
“We have such great seniors, and they have come a long way,” Netherby-Sewell said. “They have worked so hard for this, so I expect them to lay it all out on the floor [Saturday].”