Saying that the Fresno State volleyball team is excited to be home is an understatement.

The Bulldogs were victims to three straight sweeps, by conference opponents Wyoming, Colorado State, Utah State and Boise State. Their last victory, nevertheless a set win, was against San Jose State on Oct. 4.

And the Bulldogs, with a 1-1 record at home, are looking forward to beginning the second half of Mountain West play on their home court. On Thursday, the San Diego State Aztecs come to town.

“This team has been on the road more than any team I’ve ever had,” said Fresno State head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell. “That’s a big challenge, especially when you’re going up to a higher altitude and all those things.

“We’re happy to be at home, in front of our crowd, a comfortable place and able to sleep in our own beds.”

The road trip was not what Fresno State was looking for — even in a transitioning season — but the past is the past.

What matters now is redemption.

“This week, we’re really trying to get back on track moving forward,” Netherby-Sewell said. “We have a lot of little things in place that will hopefully get our team playing with a little more confidence.”

One of those things, Netherby-Sewell said, is maximizing the Bulldogs’ offense. That includes working on getting their younger players acclimated to the system while relying on the upperclassmen for experience.

“Taylor [Brubaker, Fresno State freshman outside hitter] hasn’t had a lot of experience,” Netherby-Sewell said, “but she is going to get it this year. That will be a benefit to us in the future.

“And Jamiee-Lee [Morrow] has the most experience, so just putting her out there is going to help us in situations where a freshman will be uncomfortable.”

Finding form against San Diego State

The Aztecs are a team that Netherby-Sewell says is similar to the ‘Dogs. As San Diego State lost key players from its 2013 squad, the team is looking to find form.

The five-set loss to the Aztecs saw the Bulldogs try different rotations and plays. Now, seven games later, the Bulldogs are more stable and are finding their rhythm on the court.

“We’re hoping that the new system we have in the lineup can take care of business with [the Aztecs] this time,” Netherby-Sewell said. “It’s a big benefit to be at home.”

On offense, the Bulldogs have worked on keeping it simple and running faster sets. Staying with that game plan has helped them stay consistent, even in losses. However, the weak points have been their defense and making the appropriate stops.

It’s something the ‘Dogs have been working on in practice.

“It was very difficult defending the go and [the opponents’] right sides,” said Fresno State senior outside hitter Zana Bowens. “We’re just trying to get in good places to where our diggers could be able to make good plays.”

However, Bowens said, the serving has improved in the second week of the road trip, as the coaches have focused more on having the responsibility go to the stronger servers.

Recently, the Bulldogs have used the 6-2 lineup more, and it has been an easier adjustment.

“The 6-2 lineup is still working well,” Bowens said. “We’re just working out different kinks and just trying to figure out how we’re going to slow down teams’ outside hitting.”

No clear-cut Mountain West leader

With the exception of No. 6 Colorado State, the Mountain West has seen movement in the standings. Three teams are tied in the middle of the pack, and three more are at most three games behind the third-place spot.

For Fresno State, which sits second-to-last at 1-7, the chance to take advantage of the changing Mountain West landscape hangs over its head.

“We’re starting our second half of conference,” Bowens said, “so we pretty much know the teams, and nothing too much has changed for them. They’re going to be looking for a different Fresno team to play against.”

Thursday’s contest begins at 6 p.m. at the Save Mart Center.