Fresno State Official Athletic Site

Bulldogs Impressive in Front of Big Crowd and No. 3 Hawai'i

The Bulldogs held Hawai'i to their lowest single-set hitting percentage in the WAC this season.

Lisa Gera had a season-high 24 assists vs. No. 3 Hawai'i.

Oct. 29, 2009

FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State Bulldogs were impressive in front of the largest crowd at the Save Mart Center in recent history with 4,132 fans and on ESPNU as the `Dogs took a set from No. 3 Hawai'i for the third-straight year but the Rainbow Wahine prevailed in four sets to take the match by set scores of 25-19, 23-25, 25-15 and 25-20.

The `Dogs drop to 11-11 overall and 4-6 in the Western Athletic Conference while Hawai'i improves to 19-2 and a perfect 9-0 in league play.

"We just played one of our best matches of the year and we know what we can do," said sophomore Kelli Parker. "We expect to do that well the rest of the WAC season."

Hawai'i took an early 8-7 lead but the `Dogs tied the set at 8-8 and 10-10 with kills by Lacey Gera and Lauren Berger. The `Dogs stayed close in set one and were only down two late before Hawai'i took the set 25-19. Brianna Clarke led the `Dogs with four kills and a .429 clip in set one.

The `Dogs were most impressive in the second set, winning 25-23. Fresno State held Hawai'i to a 0.59 clip in set two, the lowest for the Rainbow Wahine in a single set in WAC play this season and the third lowest of the year.

Parker was a perfect 4-4, 1.000 clip in the second set. The `Dogs took their first lead of the match at 1-0 and went out to a seven point lead, 11-4. Hawai'i got back in the set, tying and actually taking the lead twice, but the Bulldogs got a kill by Gera to give the `Dogs the 22-21 edge.

A block by Clarke and Baylee Platt and another by Clarke and Berger gave the `Dogs the set.

Hawai'i hit a match-high .458 in set three and easily took the 2-1 lead in the match.

Set four saw seven ties and five lead changes as the' Dogs went up early, 6-1 and hit a match-best .231. With the set tied at 13, Hawai'i took the lead, and while the `Dogs stayed closed, the Rainbow Wahine held on for the match win.

Gera led the `Dogs with 12 kills while Parker added 10, respectively. Lisa Gera led the team with a season-high 24 assists.

Fighting Spirit
Tonight's `Fighting Spirit' award went to Kelli Parker.

"Kelli Parker, for someone with very little experience and training plays with no fear," said head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell. "No matter what the challenge is ahead of her she plays with no fear and I love it."

The Bulldogs host San Jose State on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Save Mart Center.

"We Are Your Team" - Fresno State hosts San Jose State on Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through the Save Mart Center Box Office, by calling 559-485-TIXS or through ticketmaster.com.