Volleyball keeps on winning in the WAC

By Darrell Copeland

The Fresno State women’s volleyball team dominated its match against Boise State both physically and statistically in four games (30-19, 30-17, 26-30, and 30-19) Thursday night.

The Bulldogs tallied 18 total team blocks and a hitting percentage of .355 to the Broncos’ five team blocks and .118 hitting percentage.

Fresno State senior Carrie Hartt finished the match with 14 kills and a hitting percentage of .478 to go along with 10 blocks.

The Bulldogs had five players hit above .500, including junior Tiffany Bishop, who more than pitched in with 11 kills and a hitting percentage of .625.

“ Coach always tells me to go up with the intent to kill,” Bishop said.

In game one, the Bulldogs jumped out to a 12-7 lead when freshman Tuli Peters took her turn to serve. Peters served up five consecutive points to boost the Bulldogs’ lead to double-digits.

Carrie Hartt hit a perfect 5 for 5 in that game, including the final kill, to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead in the match.

In game two, it was more of the same for Fresno State.

This time, Briana Rempel served up five consecutive points, including one service ace, to put the Bulldogs up 24-14 in the game.

Fresno State senior Stefanie Taelman added four kills in the game and finished the match with five.

The Bulldogs used game three as a chance to play multiple substitutes.

Coach Lindy Vivas used a total of 14 players in the match, most of whom came in the third game.

Despite having so many substitutes in the game, the Bulldogs were able to hold a lead until Boise State took a timeout at 23-22. The Broncos rolled up three straight points coming out of the timeout and were able to hold Fresno State off for a victory.

In game four, the Bulldogs returned to form, taking the lead for good on consecutive points by way of Tiffany Bishop’s serve.

Bishop recorded five kills in the game, including the last two Bulldog points, both coming on emphatic kills.

“ We let up a little bit in the third game,” Bishop said. “We lost the fundamentals of volleyball, but we picked it back up in the fourth game.”

Fresno State will remain at home this weekend when it hosts UTEP for a 7 p.m. start in the North Gym.