Sept. 1, 2010

FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State volleyball team is heading east to the state of Utah for non-conference competition against Air Force (Sept. 2) and Utah Valley University (Sept. 4). The Bulldogs are 3-0 all-time against the Mountain West's Air Force Academy with a pair of wins coming back in 1996 and securing the other victory during the 2002 season. This will mark the first meeting between Fresno State and Utah Valley in the sport of volleyball.

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This Week in Bulldog Volleyball
Sept. 2: 6 p.m. - Fresno State vs. Air Force (Orem, Utah)
Sept. 4: Noon - Fresno State @ Utah Valley University (Orem, Utah)
• Live Stats for both games are available at: http://www.wolverinegreen.com

Looking Ahead...
Sept. 8: 7 p.m. - Fresno State vs. Fresno Pacific (Save Mart Center)
• Match scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN 790 AM
Hilton Garden Inn Classic (Hosted by the University of California - Berkeley, Calif.)
Sept. 10: 4:30 p.m. - Fresno State vs. Seton Hall
Sept. 11: Noon - Fresno State vs. UC Davis
Sept. 11: 7 p.m - Fresno State @ No. 11 California
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NOTES:
• All game times are Pacific and subject to change
• All Fresno State home games will be streamed live at: www.gobulldogs.com/allaccess

`Dogs Served Up 2010 By Hosting Fresno State Classic The `Dogs began the 2010 season by hosting the Fresno State Classic on Aug. 27-28, 2010, the first of two home tournaments at the Save Mart Center this year. The Bulldogs opened the weekend with a 3-0 victory against UC Riverside before falling 3-1 twice on Saturday to No. 20 Oregon and Santa Clara, who received votes in the AVCA preseason national coaches poll. Fresno State senior libero Kelly Mason was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Bulldog Block Party Tops WAC After First Weekend
After the first weekend of play by Western Athletic Conference schools, Fresno State averaged 3.36 blocks per set to lead all WAC programs. Netherby-Sewell instilled a renewed focus on elevating the team's defensive play throughout the offseason. Two Bulldogs were in the top six individually in blocks per set as junior Brianna Clarke ranked second (1.82) and sophomore Marissa Brand added one block for each of Fresno State's 11 sets played.

`Dogs Fight for Fresno, Sunbirds Visit Save Mart Center on Sept. 8
In one of the most anticipated showdowns of the season, Fresno State will welcome the NAIA's Fresno Pacific Sunbirds to the Save Mart Center on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. for an exhibition match. The Bulldogs are looking for their first win over their crosstown rivals and expect an electric atmosphere in the building. The evening will celebrate "Greek Night" with the highest attending fraternity or sorority winning a date with the entire volleyball team.

Fresno State Picked to Finish Third in WAC, Ready to Make Charge
The resurgence of the Fresno State volleyball program garnered notice with the selection of the Bulldogs to finish third during the upcoming 2010 WAC season in the Western Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll for the highest predicted finish in the poll since 2004. Hawai'i is the conference favorite with eight first-place votes and the Rainbow Wahine's Kanani Danielson was the unanimous pick for WAC Preseason Player of the Year.

Clarke Named to 2010 Preseason All-WAC Team
The WAC coaches honored Fresno State's Brianna Clarke as one of 12 student-athletes on the 2010 Preseason All-WAC team. Clarke, a native of Clovis, Calif. and Buchanan High School graduate, enters her junior year after two impressive seasons in a Bulldog uniform. She became the first `Dog since 2003-04 to earn back-to-back All-WAC honors as a member of the 2009 Second-Team All-WAC and 2008 All-WAC Freshman Team.

Volleyball Team Earns AVCA Academic Award for 2009-10 Season
The American Volleyball Coaches Association has recognized the Fresno State volleyball program as the only Western Athletic Conference volleyball team to earn their academic honor in 2009-10, averaging at least a 3.30 grade point average. The AVCA announced that 450 teams earned the AVCA Team Academic Award for the 2009-10 season. This award, which was initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors collegiate and high school volleyball teams that displayed excellence in the classroom.

Mason Nominated for Lowe's Senior CLASS Award
Senior walk-on libero Kelly Mason was nominated for the 2010 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award for her exceptional work ethic and contributions to the team throughout her Fresno State career. The Lowe's Senior CLASS Award celebrates the loyalty of seniors that honor a four-year commitment to their university. The honor recognizes these student-athletes for great achievement during competition and in their community while staying in school. The acronym "CLASS" stands for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School.

Fresno State's Centennial Celebration in Full Swing
Founded in 1911, Fresno State will celebrate its 100th anniversary during the 2010-11 academic year. The campus community will hold several special events during the year and the Fresno State Athletics Department will host a Centennial event for each of its 19 sports. The Bulldog volleyball Centennial celebration will be Oct. 28 against longtime rival Nevada. The event will serve as a reunion for all former players.

"We Are Your Team!" -- Fresno State welcomes the NAIA's Fresno Pacific Sunbirds to the Save Mart Center on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. for an exhibition match. The evening will celebrate "Greek Night" with the highest attending fraternity or sorority winning a date with the entire volleyball team and one lucky and spirited fan will take home a free flat screen TV.