Vandals sack 'Dogs
Bulldog's
hard-nosed defense still can't keep up with WAC newcomer Idaho's offensive
firepower in conference opener
| 
Ryan Tubongbanua
/ The Collegian
Despite 16 digs from
junior Cassie Gilford, who led the team in the category, the Bulldogs
could not hold off Idaho's overall .353 hitting percentage for 79
kills. |
By Noe Sacoco
The Collegian
The Fresno State women’s
volleyball team lost a four-game (30-16, 26-30, 30-24 and 31 29) thriller
to the Idaho Vandals (8-5) Saturday night at the North Gym.
After a slow start, Coach Ruben Nieves believes execution is key to close
games.
“We need to attack better and put balls away,” Nieves said.
Fresno State (2-9) opened game one with a kill, but found itself in a
drought when the Vandals scored five points in a row on their way to a
6-1 lead. The Vandals were efficient at the net with a total of four block
assists to the Bulldogs’ zero. The Bulldogs failed to get in an
offensive flow and the Vandals capitalized, leading game one with a hitting
percentage of .467 to .026.
Unlike game one, where the Bulldogs failed to execute, the Bulldogs came
out hungry and played scrappy defense in game two. The Bulldogs had 21
digs to Idaho’s 15. Briana Rempel led all Bulldogs with 13 kills.
“We came out hesitant,” sophomore middle blocker Alisha McKee
said. “But during crunch time, our intensity picked up.”
The Bulldogs opened game two by scoring the first three points. Of the
team’s 21 digs in game three, junior Cheryl Selenak led the Bulldog
defense with seven digs. The trio of Alisha McKee, Kasie Spencer and Angela
Wiggins spearheaded the Bulldog offense with a combined 13 kills. The
Bulldogs led in hitting percentage with .419 to .360.
In game three, the Vandals had momentum on their side. Outside hitter
Meghan Brown led the Vandals with seven kills in game three. As the game
progressed, the Bulldogs were a force at the net. Robyn Kuene and Kasie
Spencer combined for two block solos and four block assists. The Vandals
led game three by as much as six points. However, the Bulldogs stayed
close and executed on key rallies. The Bulldogs managed to hold off two
match points, but were unable to finish off the Vandals.
“We need to work on putting free balls away,” freshman middle
blocker Kasie Spencer said.
Game four was an intense game with each team exchanging points. The game
featured nine lead changes and six ties. Junior defensive specialist Allison
Pitton was an offensive force and led game four with five kills. The Bulldogs
hung close and held off three match points, but again failed to finish
off the Vandals.
The Bulldogs will continue WAC play next Thursday on the road against
New Mexico.
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