Dec. 6, 2002

Box Score

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Fresno State volleyball opened NCAA Tournament action on the road against No. 8 seed and seventh-ranked UC Santa Barbara with high expectations.

However, for the second time this season, the Bulldogs were bumped out in four games as the Gauchos advanced to the NCAA Second Round after defeating the 'Dogs 30-20, 28-30, 30-21 and 30-26 in just over two hours of play at The Thunderdome before 1,341 fans.

Improving to 29-2 on the year, UCSB also handed 28th-year head coach Kathy Gregory her 700th career win. Finishing with a 23-7 record, Fresno State's 12th-year head coach Lindy Vivas will remain one win shy of picking up her 300th career victory.

Fresno State had three players in double-figure kills and four with 10 or more digs. The Bulldogs won the battle in kills (63-61) and digs (85-82) while being outblocked (14-12) and outhit (.212-.121).

Senior middle blocker Java Johnson closed out a solid two-year career by picking up her first 20-kill match as a Bulldog when she posted a match- and career-high 21 kills and had a match-high nine blocks.

Moving up to No. 9 in career block assists (182) in school history, Johnson also moved up to No. 6 for total blocks in a season with 132.

Junior middle blocker Carrie Hartt and sophomore outside hitter Kristen Fenton each chipped in 16 kills a piece.

Hartt also had two block assists and finished with the second-most block assists in a season at Fresno State with 118. Her single-season of 141 total blocks also ranks fifth-best at Fresno State.

Fenton closed out the season with a 16-match double-figure kill streak and had five straight double-doubles to wrap up the season.

Senior outside hitter Christy Burnett wrapped up her four-year career this evening by tallying six kills and 18 digs with a block. With 971 career kills, she solidified her No. 4 spot in career digs with 1,060.

Sophomore setter Whitney Arena collected her 12th double-double on the season after totaling 53 assists and 12 digs. Arena also moved into the school's Top Five in career assists. Surpassing Diann Aufermaur (2,091, 1996-99), she ranks fifth all-time with 2,124 career assists.

UC Santa Barbara used a two-person attack in Danielle Bauer (17) and Erica Menzel (19). The two combined for 36 of the team's 61 kills.

In game one, Fresno State opened up with an 8-5 lead before the game was tied at 9-9. The Gauchos took advantage of a Bulldog setting error for a 10-9 lead and went on to control the rest of the game as Fresno State would get no closer than two (15-17). Fenton led the way for Fresno State with five kills while Hartt and Burnett each had three. Bauer tallied four kills for UCSB.

In game two, Fresno State erased a five point deficit at 6-11 and tied the match at 11-11 and 12-12 before fighting its way back again to tie the game at 16 all. On a Burnett kill, the Bulldogs took their first lead and held on until UCSB tied the game at 19. Falling behind at 22-26, the 'Dogs fought back to close out the game with an 8-2 run for the 30-28 win. Hartt, Fenton and Johnson each had five kills while Bauer led the way for UCSB with seven.

In game three, the Bulldogs found themselves trailing again after the game was tied at 4-4. UCSB never relinquished the lead at 5-4 and closed out the game with a nine point advantage. Menzel caught on fire for UC Santa Barbara as she hit .700 (7-0-10). Johnson held her own and hit .727 (8-0-11) for the Bulldogs.

In game four, Fresno State opened with a 4-1 and 7-3 lead. Building a five point advantage at 9-4, UCSB erased the five point lead to tie the game at 9-9. With the game tied at 10-10 and 14-14, the Bulldogs fell behind at 15-14. With the chance to tie the game at 20 and 22, Fresno State had two critical service errors and could not erase a two point lead (21-19 and 23-21). Trailing 24-21, the Bulldogs managed to tie the game a 27 on a Burnett kill. However, UCSB's Courtney Guerra closed out the match with back-to-back kills.

Posting the second-most wins (23) and the fewest losses (7) under Vivas, the Bulldogs will host their annual end of the year banquet on Sunday, Dec. 15, 12:00 p.m., at TorNino's. Tickets are available by phoning (559) 278-6833.