The Fresno State women’s volleyball team held its annual exhibition game at the North Gym on Aug. 24.
The Bulldogs faced off against California Baptist University (CBU) in a back-and-forth five-set game that came down to the wire.
Fresno State volleyball got off to a quick start with 5 points, but the Lancers followed with four of their own.
Bulldog outside hitter Jenna Legault got a block play against the Lancers, earning her team a 1-point advantage.
The Lancers found multiple openings, getting an advantage over the Bulldogs, leading by 10 at 21-11.
Bulldog opposite Addison Haluska and outside hitter Ella Rud was able to add some momentum to the Bulldog board, but that wasn’t enough as Lancer Middle Blocker Madison Gilliland got the set point with a kill to close out with a win.
“Obviously Ella’s, you know, 4-year starter and she’s a two-year captain for us. She’s definitely a go-to player for us. Addie did great too,” said Fresno State Head Coach Leisa Rosen. “So I think that those two are definitely, you know, two players that we are going to lean on.”
The Bulldogs and the Lancers started the set two neck-and-neck. Both teams got a couple of good rallies against each other, keeping the score 11-7 for the ‘Dogs.
Gilliland found open serves to tie the game at 11-11.
The Bulldogs were playing catch up however the Lancers played good defense to pull off a game point 25-19 for set two. The Lancers led the game 2-0.
The Bulldogs held a strong lead entering the third set with a score of 8-1. The Bulldogs kept in libero defensive specialist Dionii Fraga to serve.
The Lancers and the Bulldogs were tied up once again at 11 a piece. The Lancers’ comeback started to find an opening in the middle of the court. However, middle Bulldog blocker Kasey Purry ended the run against the Lancers on a block play advantage. Purry gave the Bulldogs the lead by a point, 12-11.
The match continued going back-and-forth between Fresno State and CBU with a 3-point lead over CBU, 21-18.
The back-and-forth point continued out throughout set three but the ‘Dogs were able to get enough to close out with a win and begin their comeback. An error play by the Lancers gave the win to the ‘Dogs 25-20.
The ‘Dogs and Lancers’ entered set four competitively since it could be anybody’s game.
Outside hitter Legault covered up on the front line, getting a good kill against the Lacers and cutting their deficit to 17-16.
The Bulldogs came back on a 2-point lead against the Lancers off of an error, earning the lead at 20-18.
Tied at 24-24 the Bulldogs had a game point advantage over the Lancers, capitalizing on it for the 25-24 lead. The Bulldogs survived set four, 26-24, entering set five.
The Bulldogs and the Lancers played at their best since both teams could not afford to make any errors.
Bulldog setter Brooke Cowie assisted Haluska for a kill and an early 8-5 lead.
The ‘Dogs opened with a lead and held onto it. An error from the Lancers gave the Bulldogs a game-point advantage of 14-11.
The Bulldogs came back behind the Lancers winning 3-2 with outside hitter Ella Rud sealing the game-winner, 15-12.
“It’s [the Bulldogs’ performance against CBU] a starting point,” Rosen said. “And I think that our starting point is at a pretty high level especially compared to last year.”
The team will head to Phoenix Aug. 30 for the Grand Canyon University Invitational, taking on Oregon State to kick off preseason.
