Volleyball win sets up showdown

By Darell Copeland

The time has come.

The Fresno State volleyball team will host Hawaii in the Save Mart Center for what will be the first true athletic event in the arena.

After defeating the San Jose State Spartans in four games Thursday night, the Bulldogs are anticipating the showdown with No. 2 Hawaii.

Bulldog seniors Carrie Hartt and Stefanie Taelman, along with junior Kristen Fenton, led the way for Fresno State. The trio combined for 42 kills and contributed to the .274 team hitting percentage.

“ We did what we had to do tonight,” Fenton said.

Fresno State held San Jose State’s thunderous hitter Kimberly Noble to 18 kills and a hitting percentage of .103.

Coming into the match, Noble ranked in the top 20 in kills per match but was flustered by the Bulldogs defense.

“ Our focus was to shut [Noble] down as much as possible,” Hartt said.

The Spartans did have minimal success with their attack behind 5-foot-8 outside hitter Carrie Nash.

The junior took over the Spartans attack in game two and finished with 19 kills.

Even with the solid defense, the Bulldogs did have a few mental lapses, leading to San Jose State runs.

“ We’re still working on keeping focus,” Hartt said.

Part of the blame could be placed on the fact that a possible tie for the WAC lead with Hawaii is just a few days away.

“ The hard part was getting ready for tonight,” Fresno State coach Lindy Vivas said.

The Bulldogs now have two days to fine-tune any glitches they may have in their attack or defense.

“ We’re starting off tomorrow,” Fenton said.

The first time the two rivals met this season, the Rainbow Wahine swept the Bulldogs in three games in Honolulu.

For many of the Bulldogs, making the trip to the islands was a first.

“ Having been there done that, we’re ready now,” Vivas said.

Fresno State will have to make up for a lack of height with quickness and scrappiness.

Hawaii’s size and power has presented problems for every team this season with the exception of USC, the nation’s No. 1 team and the only team to beat Hawaii.

Fresno State is looking for a huge crowd to support the Bulldogs in what would be their first win against Hawaii since the two have been in the WAC together.

The match will take place Sunday at noon.