The Fresno State Women’s Volleyball team defeated Colorado State in four sets at the Save Mart Center on Thursday, Nov. 14.
Despite coming off a pair of losses last week, the Bulldogs headed into their second-to-last home game of the season, needing just one more win to head to Vegas for the Mountain West Conference (MWC) championship.
With the help of opposite hitter Addison Halluska, who had a game-high 24 kills, and company, the Bulldogs clinched a spot in the coveted MWC championship tournament.
“It feels great. I’m really excited for our team because that was the smoothest we’ve played in a really long time,” Haluska said. “It just felt good to get our rhythm back and play how we play- and we’re going to the tournament now, so we’re really excited.”
How it happened
Off to a great start, both teams came out blazing in the first set with a fierce rally between the ‘Dogs and the Rams, ended by a vicious kill from outside hitter Jenna Legault.
However, the Rams quickly built up a steady lead.
The Bulldogs found their fight as the set continued on. But despite a multitude of kills by Haluska, the ‘Dogs just could not catch up, dropping the set to the Rams, 25-19.
The second set opened with an insane rally to tie up the score 4-4, the point going to the Rams.
They continued neck and neck; it really could’ve been anyone’s set.
Another killer rally sent the Rams into a timeout as setter Brooke Cowie swooped the point, bringing the score to 13-10.
The ‘Dogs stole a slight lead this time around, holding a few points over the Rams’ heads.
Colorado State returning the ball into the net after a fighting rally clinched the set for the ‘Dogs, 25-19.
The ‘Dogs headed into the third set of the match tied up with the Rams, each team with one set under its belt.
Middle blocker Kasey Purry went in for the kill with an assist from Cowie after an insane rally, and the Bulldogs quickly gained momentum, pulling out a 7 point lead.
Colorado State fought hard, but in the end the Bulldogs took the third set home 25-17.
Addison Haluska had already racked up 17 total kills by the end of the third set.
The Bulldogs headed into the fourth set needing just one more to clutch the win.
Outside hitter Ella Rud came in on fire, with back to back kills to put the ‘Dogs up by one.
Losing that second set to the ‘Dogs lit a fire under the Rams. Each and every point was a battle that both teams refused to give up without a fight.
However, the Bulldogs hung onto their high and kept a lead. Although both teams were making certifiable connections, the Rams came up short one too many times.
Haluska dug deep with 3 kills in a row to finish off the match. Fresno State took the set as well as the game, 25-20.
Haluska, who is approaching 1000 career kills, says the accomplishment has unquestionably been on her mind.
“I am definitely aware, so we’ll keep pushing until I get there,” Haluska said.
Overall, the Bulldogs’ offense dominated the court, with Haluska’s 24 total kills and Cowie’s whopping 41 assists.
Bulldog’s Head Coach Leisa Rosen said she is extremely proud of the team’s continuous improvement, despite their occasional setbacks.
“You know, we’re continually getting better, and yeah, you’re gonna have bumps in the road. You’re gonna take losses that maybe you don’t want to take,” said Rosen. “But I also think that we’re a very good team as well, and so anybody that doesn’t take us seriously, we’re gonna make you pay.”
What’s next
The Bulldogs will host Wyoming on Saturday, Nov. 16, in their last home game of the season, as they head towards the MWC tournament.
They will finish the regular season next week with a pair of road matchups. They will head to San Jose as they take on the Spartans Tuesday at 7 p.m. and then to Boise, Idaho on Saturday with a matchup against the Broncos at 11 a.m.
The MWC championship tournament will begin in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Nov. 27.