Bulldogs dodge Matadors
By Maggie Thach
The Collegian
The last match at the North Gym was different for Robyn Keune and Briana Rempel. Not because it was senior night, their last home match of their careers, but because the Bulldogs came away victorious to put together back-to-back wins. Every game was decided by no more than two points as the Bulldogs fought to a 28-30, 33-31, 30-28, 28-30, 15-13 win over the CS Northridge Matadors.
The team swept Boise State on Thursday. It was the first time the team has been on a winning streak since winning against North Carolina and Long Island in the Golden Gate Classic early in September.
“We’re steadily improving,” Keune said. “It’s an encouraging win. I had mixed emotions. It was exciting and sad but it was just another game.”
Even with the emotions, Keune was her usual efficient self. She had 65 assists and is well on her way to moving into third among all Fresno State players in career assists. Her sets were well-distributed as Jessica Peterson, Alisha McKee and Kasie Spencer each had 16 kills.
The Bulldogs trailed in every game but big plays sparked efforts to get back in the game. In the second game and down 30-31, McKee had a solo block that tied the game and swung the momentum. In game three, Kasie Spencer had a kill and a block in the last two plays to take it and in game five, it was McKee with a kill to win the match.
Yuko Mori sparked runs with her signature windmill serve and her 30 digs.
“We finally pulled together,” Rempel said. “Our goal is to be a better team every day and I think we’re getting there.”
Head coach Ruben Nieves agreed.
“We’re one of nine [WAC] teams that can go to the NCAAs,” Nieves said. “It’s more of a long shot for us but look at what the soccer team did. That’s an inspiration for us.”
The Bulldogs will have four consecutive road games before heading into the WAC tournament Nov. 24.
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