The Fresno State women’s volleyball team pulled a mid-game reverse sweep on Boise State Thursday evening, taking the final three sets in a victory over the Broncos.
The win was the team’s first in the Mountain West Conference (MWC) this season, after winning the MWC in 2023.
The first set was pretty competitive throughout, with the two teams tied at 15-15. Opposite hitter Addison Haluska came out blazing with six kills in the first set.
However, the Bulldogs struggled to maintain momentum, allowing the Broncos to go on a 4-1 scoring run and securing the first set 25-23.
Boise State was in control for most of the second set, taking a 21-11 lead. The ‘Dogs climbed back into the match with a late 3-point run. It was too little as the Broncos took the set handily 25-17.
Backed against the wall, the Bulldogs won the third set 25-20 with a pair of 4-0 runs. Outside hitter Ella Rud led the way with five kills.
Boise State jumped ahead with an 11-4 lead to open the fourth set but Fresno State cut the deficit with a 7-3 run. Later in the set, the Bulldogs scored six consecutive points to take a 19-17 lead. The ‘Dogs closed the set with four straight points to win 25-20, sending it to a fifth and final set.
Fresno State Head Coach Leisa Rosen was particularly content with the Bulldogs’ killer offense against the Broncos.
“We had a very good offensive scheme against them,” Rosen said. “In [sets] three, four and five we were very good offensively.”
Opening the set with a back-and-forth rally, the Bulldogs jumped out to a 7-2 lead because of multiple errors from the Broncos. Boise State attempted to make a comeback, but Fresno State’s defense, led by libero Dionii Fraga, kept them at bay. Fraga led the Bulldogs’ defense with a whopping 31 digs.
Fresno State went on to win the set 15-10 with a final kill from Rud to complete the comeback.
The ‘Dogs were led offensively by Haluska who finished the night with a game-high 21 kills.
Haluska was grateful for the win, stating that she believes the team needed it after the losing stretch they were stuck in.
“I think that we were finally just letting ourselves play as a whole, we were hitting the floor, playing hard defense,” Haluska said. “Our offense was great, and I think that we were just keeping ourselves in those long rallies and serving aggressively, keeping the ball on our side.”
She hopes to keep the Bulldogs’ winning momentum going into their upcoming game against the University of Wyoming.
“I think that we just need to remember how we played tonight and how we played freely and fun and just keep this energy going on the road next week,” Haluska said.
Fresno State will get a well deserved break before heading to Laramie to take on the University of Wyoming on Thursday, Oct. 6. The match will begin at 5:30 p.m.
