Courtesy of Fresno State Athletics – 

LAS VEGAS – For the first time in program history, the Fresno State volleyball team has won the Mountain West title by defeating Colorado State in a reverse sweep at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nev. on Friday evening.

With the win, the Bulldogs have earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Volleyball tournament, beginning Thursday. This will be Fresno State’s fifth appearance in the national tournament and the first since 2002.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Second-seeded Colorado State had a commanding start to the match as they took an early lead over the Bulldogs and kept it throughout. The Rams had 17 kills in the opener and his .387 compared to the Bulldogs’ 10 kills and .167 attack percentage. The Rams defeated the Bulldogs 25-20 with eight kills from Colorado State’s lead hitter Malaya Jones.

Fresno State went into the second set swinging and a kill from Addison Haluska solidified a seven-point lead over Colorado State. Slowly but surely, the Rams bounced back in set two and tied the match at 21 apiece. Fresno State called a time-out with the intention of regrouping, but the Rams found a way to sneak past the ‘Dogs and win the set 25-23.

Colorado State opened the third set by scoring the first three points on kills, but the Bulldogs did not show any discouragement as they quickly recovered to tie the set at six. The ‘Dogs kept a steady grasp on the lead before a Ram service ace tied the game again at 18. Fresno State took a time out and after returning to the court claimed three kills to advance the ‘Dogs to a single-point deficit at 23-22. Back-to-back errors on the Ram side of the net put the Bulldogs at set point and Addison Haluska would go up for a kill to give the ‘Dogs their first set win of the night at 26-24.

The Bulldogs battled through the fourth set, starting with the lead before passing it on to Colorado State. The Rams reached match point at 24-22 but the Bulldogs stayed relentless and tied the set at 25-25 with another kill from Addison Haluska. Ella Rud’s 15th kill of the night pushed the Bulldogs into the lead as they won the set 28-26.

With their backs against the wall and a championship on the line, Fresno State found new life in the fifth and final set. Ella Rud struck early and struck often with the first of five kills for the junior outside hitter to start the set. The Bulldogs and the Rams kept each other at arm’s length for most of the set, But the Bulldogs picked up steam in the tail end, forcing consecutive time-outs from Colorado State. With a three-point lead, the Bulldogs had their sights set on their first-ever Mountain West Championship and a setting error from the Rams would end the set at 15-12 and the match at 3-2, leaving the Bulldogs victorious.

NOTES

  • Since joining the Mountain West in 2012, the Bulldogs have never earned a conference title previously.
  • The Bulldogs are going dancing for only the fifth time in program history and the first time since 2002.
  • Brooke Cowie was tabbed Mountain West Championship MVP as she led the Bulldogs to a .278 hitting percentage with 110 assists. The Bulldogs averaged 12.75 kills per game with Cowie as the setter.
  • Addison Haluska, Brooke Cowie, Dionii Fraga and Ella Rud all earned spots on the Mountain West All-Tournament team.
  • Ella Rud earned a season-high 20 kills against the Rams and with 10 digs also claimed a double-double.
  • The Bulldogs lost three straight matches to end the season, two of which were against Utah State and Boise State.
  • Fresno State defeated Boise State and Utah State in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds after being swept by both schools in the regular season.
  • Fresno State defeated Colorado State, the team whose victory locked in a spot for the Bulldogs in the tournament, to earn the Mountain West title.

UP NEXT

The 2023 DI women’s volleyball selection show will air this Sunday on ESPN at 3 p.m. PT where the NCAA will announce where the Bulldogs will play in the opening round of the national tournament.

“Fresno State Athletics – Elevate: Imagine the Possibilities” – The Elevate Campaign provides a visionary roadmap to enhance and construct a series of athletic facilities to help further position Fresno State Athletics for sustained competitive success nationally, while also further serving as a source of pride and economic growth throughout California’s Central Valley. For more information, visit GoBulldogs.com/elevate.