Sept. 21, 2009
Complete Release 
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State Bulldogs (7-5) have a big week ahead of them as they travel across town to NAIA powerhouse Fresno Pacific for the annual exhibition match on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and then open up Western Athletic Conference play in Reno, Nev., against the Wolf Pack at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Both matches can be viewed lived on gametracker at www.gobulldogs.com. The Fresno Pacific match can be heard live on 790 the Deuce ESPN Radio.
Scouting Fresno Pacific
The defending NAIA National Champion Fresno Pacific is a perfect 14-0 on the season after defeating Biola (3-1) and Vanguard (3-0) last week. The Sunbirds have only lost three sets the entire season and are 4-0 in conference play. Fresno Pacific went 34-1 in 2008 on its way to winning the title. The Sunbirds are led by Keke Wang with 132 kills. Four Sundbirds are hitting .300 or better. Since the annual match between Fresno Pacific and Fresno State has been only an exhibition, no complete records are available.
The 'Dogs open the 2009 WAC season by hitting the road to take on Nevada this weekend. The Bulldogs and the Wolf Pack are the only two teams in the conference this week to each play only one match on opening weekend. Nevada is 4-8 on the year and last weekend dropped matches to Pacific and Loyola Marymount and picked up a win over CSU Bakersfield. Nevada travels to Sacramento State on Wednesday for a non-conference match before hosting the 'Dogs. Fresno State leads the overall series vs. Nevada 17-16 but has not defeated the Wolf Pack since Oct. 22, 2005 in a five-set victory. Nevada is led by Kylie Harrington with 160 kills. Nevada was picked to finish in fifth place, just above the Bulldogs, in the pre-season WAC coaches poll.
The WAC Season Begins
The 2009 Western Athletic Conference season begins this week as all nine teams are in action with eight matches over four days. Hawai'i was the pre-season favorite and is the defending WAC champion as it takes on Boise State and Idaho this weekend. Idaho is at San Jose State before traveling to the Islands. San Jose State also hosts Boise State. Utah State travels to New Mexico State and Louisiana Tech and then New Mexico State travels to Louisiana Tech on Sunday.
The 'Dogs were picked to finish sixth in the pre-season coaches poll. If the Bulldogs finish where predicted it would be there highest finish in the regular season standings since they were the No. 5 seed in the WAC Tournament back in 2004. The Bulldogs 6-7 record that year in the WAC is also the best in the past five years.
Fresno State has been a member of the WAC in volleyball since 1992 and has a 17 year WAC record of 118-128. The Bulldogs have been to four NCAA tournaments (two as a member of the WAC), and last went to the First Round in 2002.
Idaho Match Time Change
The Oct. 3 match at Idaho has been moved from 7 p.m. to 1 p.m. that day due to a conflict in schedule with the Idaho football game. Live stats will be available for that match on the Idaho athletics website.
Breast Cancer Awareness Night
Fresno State volleyball has announced that it is partnering with the Central Valley Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® for Breast Cancer Awareness Night for the Oct. 10 home match against Idaho at the Save Mart Center at 7 p.m.
For the past two years, Fresno State Athletics has partnered with Komen Central Valley with the "Pink Zone" hosted by women's basketball in an effort to raise breast cancer awareness and funds for Fresno County's underserved women. This year the volleyball team also joins Komen in the promise to end breast cancer.
"We Are Your Team" - The Bulldogs return to the Save Mart Center on Thursday, Oct. 8 as they host Utah State at 7 p.m. It's Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night and all Fresno State faculty and staff receive FREE admission and can receive $2 admission for up to four guests. Tickets can be purchased through the Save Mart Center Box Office, by calling 559-485-TIXS or through ticketmaster.com.
