Sept. 1, 2009

Complete Release in PDF Format

FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State volleyball team hits the road this week for its first of 13-straight matches away from the Save Mart Center, which includes the entire month of September. In this span, the 'Dogs will travel to non-conference tournaments at Wyoming, Sacramento State, USC and Cal State Northridge before the annual exhibition match at Fresno Pacific. The 'Dogs also open WAC play on the road at Nevada, Boise State and Idaho the beginning of October.

Live stats for all of the Fresno State matches at the Wyoming Cowgirl Invitational can be found at www.wyomingathletics.com.

Scouting North Dakota
Fresno State and North Dakota will meet for the first time in the history of the two programs on Friday afternoon. North Dakota enters the tournament as the only undefeated team in the field at 4-0. Last week at the Indiana State tournament, the Fighting Sioux swept ISU 3-0 and also earned victories over UMKC, SIU-Edwardsville and Akron. UND posted a 24-8 record a year ago and are led by Devin Trefz with 47 kills on the year and Megan Langseth who averages 10.07 assists per set.

Scouting Montana State
Fresno State is 2-0 all-time vs. Montana State, earning a four-set victory in 2002 and a five-set victory in 1989. The Bobcats out of the Big Sky Conference, are 0-3 on the season after facing some tough competition on opening weekend. Montana State dropped matches to Portland, Washington State and UC Davis last weekend. The Bobcats are led by Taylar Barney with 21 kills and Meghan Albiston with 40 digs.

Scouting Wyoming
The host Cowgirls are 2-1 on the year, picking up victories over Rutgers and South Dakota State on opening weekend and dropping a four-set match to Idaho State. A former WAC rival, Wyoming leads the overall series over Fresno State 10-7, with the last match being a 3-0 Wyoming victory in the WAC Tournament in 1998.

Fresno State Invitational
The Bulldog volleyball team was impressive on opening weekend as they hosted the Fresno State Invitational for the second-straight year. The 'Dogs finished second behind Pacific with a 2-1 record. Fresno State opened the season with a 3-0 sweep over Cal State Bakersfield. It was the first sweep for the 'Dogs over the Roadrunners since 1979. Fresno State then followed that wit ha 3-0 sweep over Green Bay. It was the first time since 2004 the 'Dogs had started a season 2-0 and also the first time since 2004 that they had swept two teams back-to-back. Senior Lacey Gera and junior Kelly Mason were named to the all-tournament team.

Fighting Spirit Award
Head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell introduced a new tradition at Fresno State in 2008, one that she brought with her from Hofstra. The award is given to a student-athlete or group of student-athletes at the conclusion of each match that shows consistent fighting spirit through adversity and challenge in that match. If no players show that ability, the award will not be given. That's how special this award is.
-Aug. 28 vs. Cal State Bakersfield: Taylor Horton
-Aug. 29 vs. Green Bay: Kasey Van Grouw and Kelly Mason
-Aug 29 vs. Pacific: No award given

"We Are Your Team" - The Fresno State Volleyball team will be heading to Wyoming to participate in the Wyoming Invitational on September 4th and 5th. On Friday the 4th they will be facing North Dakota at 11 a.m. and Montana State at 4 p.m. The Bulldogs will be taking on Wyoming at 6 p.m. on Saturday the 5th. Single game tickets can now be purchased through the Save Mart Center Box Office, by phone (559-485-TIXS) or online at Ticketmaster.com.