Fresno State Official Athletic Site

'Dogs Conclude Month-Long Road Trip in Idaho

Fresno State looks for its eighth win on Thursday.

Brianna Clarke and Lacey Gera will lead the Bulldogs this weekend in Idaho.

Sept. 30, 2009

BOISE, Idaho - The 'Dogs conclude their stretch of 13-straight road matches this week as they face Boise State (Thursday, 6 p.m.) and Idaho (Saturday, 1 p.m.) in Western Athletic Conference matches. The 'Dogs are 7-6 overall on the year and are looking for their first WAC win of 2009 this week.

Scouting Boise State
Boise State is 1-11 (1-1 WAC) after getting swept at Hawai'i on WAC opening weekend and defeating San Jose State in five for the Broncos first win of the year. Fresno State leads the overall series 13-7 but Boise State has won the last three, including sweeping the WAC series in 2008. The 'Dogs last win was at Boise at Sept. 20, 2007, a five set victory. The Broncos were selected eighth in the pre-season coaches poll. They are led by Sadie Maughan with 87 kills (.256) and 51 blocks.

Scouting Idaho
Idaho is 5-8 (1-1 WAC) on the year after getting swept at Hawai'i last weekend and getting its first WAC win on the season at San Jose State. The Vandals finished in third in the WAC in 2008 and were picked fourth in the pre-season poll this year. Idaho leads the overall series 10-1. Fresno State's lone win over the Vandals was a two set sweep on Sept. 11, 1987. Idaho travels to Eastern Washington for a non-conference match on Wednesday before hosting the 'Dogs. Idaho is led by Sarah Conwell with 173 kills and Anna MicKinney with 71 blocks.

Idaho Match Time Change
The Oct. 3 match at Idaho has been moved from 7 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday 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.

'Dogs in the National Rankings
The third week of the NCAA team and individual standings are out and the 'Dogs rank high in many national and regional categories both in team and individual standings. In the national standings, the Bulldogs rank 26 in blocks per set (2.61). Individually, Brianna Clarke ranks 23 in blocks per set (1.34). Within the region, The 'Dogs rank No. 6 in blocks per set and No. 10 in aces per set (1.38). Individually in the region, Clarke is No. 4 in blocks per set and Kelly Leonardo is No. 22. Leonardo is No. 16 in hitting percentage.

'Dogs Pick Up Seventh Win
The Bulldogs picked up their seventh win at Cal State Northridge on Sept. 18 in a thrilling come-from-behind five set win. The seven wins equal the most wins by a Bulldog team since the 2004 team went 15-13. The 'Dogs also picked up seven wins in 2005 and in 2008

Live stats will be made available for the Boise State match at www.gobulldogs.com.

"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.