Fresno State star volleyball player Kristen Fenton no longer with Bulldogs
squad
By Darrell Copeland
Senior captain of the Fresno State volleyball team Kristen Fenton quit
the team Wednesday.
Fenton, who recently married in December of 2003, came into camp about
15 pounds heavier than last season’s playing weight according to
the coaching staff, which directly affects a player’s jumping ability,
something that Fenton would need as an outside hitter.
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Kristen Fenton quit the team
Wednesday. The senior outside hitter was named Western Athletic
Conference preseason player of the year. File photo
by Emily Tuck |
Even though Fenton quit only recently, Fresno State head coach Lindy
Vivas says the team has moved on and has been playing without Fenton for
a while now.
“The team has been playing without Kristen Fenton for a month,”
Vivas said.
The last game Fenton played in was September 30 in a home match against
Hawaii.
In addition to playing at a higher weight, Fenton has also been fighting
multiple injuries, the last of which was a knee injury suffered in the
match against Hawaii.
Also taking a toll on Fenton was the fact that the senior had the duty
of taking a much larger leadership role, both with her ability and vocally.
Vivas said Fenton’s reason for leaving was mainly a matter of commitment.
“[Fenton has] different priorities, not enough commitment right
now,” Vivas said.
In the 50 games she played in 17 matches this season, Fenton accumulated
228 kills and a hitting percentage of .238—her lowest total since
2001, when she hit .178.
A native of Marysville, Michigan, Fenton received multiple honors during
her Bulldogs tenure, including two-time All-West Region First Team, two-time
First Team All-WAC, 2003 Honorable Mention All-American and 2004 WAC Preseason
Player of the Year.
In three-plus years at Fresno State, Fenton accumulated 1,353 kills for
a 3.96 kill-per-game average, ranking third and second, respectively,
in Fresno State history.
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