The Fresno State Women’s Volleyball team put an end to its three-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over San Diego State.
“We are trying to control. We want to be in control. We want to be in control defensively. We want to be in control offensively,” said Head Coach Leisa Rosen.
On Oct. 12, the ‘Dogs took the game to the final set in a conference matchup at the Save Mart Center.
Opening up the game, the Aztecs were quick to get on the board with a kill by opposite hitter Taylor Underwood.
Despite not putting up points first, the Bulldogs responded with a 2-0 run to take the lead.
The momentum started to pick up on both ends of the court as back-to-back points were put up that eventually tied the first set,14-14.
Shortly after, the ‘Dogs found their pace on offense, going on a 4-2 run to take an 18-16 advantage, forcing the Aztecs to take a timeout.
The timeout was shown to affect the Bulldog’s rhythm. The defense couldn’t hold against the Aztecs spikes, allowing 4 points. San Diego State led 20-18 before a timeout by the ‘Dogs was called.
As pressure arose, the ‘Dogs stayed planted to take back the advantage with a 5-0 run to make the score 23-21.
In a close matchup, the Aztecs kept fighting and after several rallies they tallied up 3 points to get back in the game. An attack error by middle blocker Addison Haluska gave the Aztecs a point to end the set. The Bulldogs fall short 25-23.
The Bulldogs started off hot, putting up 3 points to take an early lead.
Like the first set, Underwood put the Aztecs up on the board with a kill, 3-1. The aggression continued for the Aztecs throughout the second set but still trailed 10-8.
Despite being down by 2, the Bulldogs extended the margin with two service errors, a kill by Haluska and an ace by setter Brooke Cowie allowed the ‘Dogs to stay on top 14-8. After, the Aztecs took a timeout.
Coming off the break, the Aztecs put up a point on a block but still trailed.
The Bulldogs answered back with a 5-1 run to go up by ten, 20-10.
The Aztecs didn’t come back, losing the second set 25-12.
The next set began strong for the Aztecs, getting on the board after a back-and-forth rally but the Bulldogs matched the energy on a kill by Haluska to tie the game 1-1.
The intensity continued with a battle on both ends keeping a tie game at 9 a piece.
The Aztecs began striking to go on a 4-0 run, taking its biggest margin of the set this far at 13-9. After a long drought, a kill by opposite hitter Jenna Legault shortened the deficit.
The Aztecs kept a strong attack sealing the third set, 25-19.
Being down 2 sets to 1, the Bulldogs had one last chance to keep the game going. The tone was set quickly by the Bulldogs who put points up first, taking a 6-4 lead.
The Bulldogs continued converting points throughout the matchup to maintain their advantage. Legault had accumulated 11 kills so far, helping Fresno State get its 21-18 lead.
“Overall hitting line, like they were in a six-two so knowing that their setting was always going to be back, I think taking them out of system we got them off their game a little bit,” Legault said .
Although the Aztecs trailed in the fourth set, they didn’t back down, as the Aztecs went on a 4-0 run towards the end of the set to make it a one-point game, 23-22.
The Red Wave chanted as the ‘Dogs fought to take a 28-26 win, taking the game to a fifth and final set.
The “Dogs put together solid defense, stopping the Aztecs from putting up as many points as they did in the last sets. Its defense was complemented by an offense that was able to convert points.
The Bulldogs defeated the Aztecs in the last set 15-9, winning 3 of 5 sets overall.
“We’ve been talking a lot about playing to win so like, everything we do is with intention and aggression,” Lagoult said.
The Bulldogs now move to 3-4 in conference play and 9-9 overall. They will stay home and take on UNLV on Oct. 14 at the Save Mart Center.
