The Fresno State women’s volleyball team endured a tough match in Laramie, Wyoming, that ended in a sweep to the Wyoming Cowgirls.
The 25-9, 25-15 and 25-8 defeats bring the Bulldogs to 6-12 this season and 1-3 in conference play. The Cowgirls improved their record to 2-3 in the Mountain West.
Senior middle blocker Maci Murdock led the team with six kills in the game. But with nine errors in 21 total attacks, she finished the evening with a -.143 hit percentage. Outside hitter Zana Bowens only had two kills and ended with a -.429 hitting mark.
For Wyoming, it had two players with nine kills apiece: junior outside hitter Bridget Shanahan and sophomore outside hitter Kayla Slofkiss. Both finished first and second on the team in hitting percentage — .600 for Shanahan and .421 for Slofkiss.
The Cowgirls dominated Set 1 and went on a 14-0 run before Fresno State spiked in its first kill by Bowens. The Bulldogs tried to stay within the game and scored three consecutive points, but Wyoming was able to score the points it needed to win the set big.
The Bulldogs began Set 2 on a higher note, staying within two points from Wyoming, until the it pulled away with separate 3-0, 2-0 and 4-0 runs. A service error by Cowgirls’ Dani Westfall gave the ‘Dogs double-digit points for the first time in the contest. A block by Wyoming setter Courtney Chacon sent both teams into the half.
After the intermission, Fresno State freshman Carly Scarbrough smacked in the first kill, but the Cowgirls would capitalize from Bulldog attack errors. Afterward, the match went evenly. The teams went back and forth with the Bulldogs coming within six (13-7), before Wyoming went on a 12-1 run to finish the game.
The loss brings the Bulldogs to 10-13 all time against the Cowgirls. Last year, the teams split matchups, with Fresno State winning 3-0 at Laramie and dropping its home match 3-1.
Saturday, the ‘Dogs will play 66 miles south in Fort Collins, Colorado, against the Colorado State Rams. The No. 7-ranked Rams beat the UNLV Rebels 3-1 to remain undefeated in conference play.
Fresno State will remain on the road next week against Utah State and Boise State. Its next home contest will be on Oct. 23 against the San Diego State Aztecs.