Nov. 17, 2009

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FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State Bulldogs clinched a spot in the 2009 six-team Western Athletic Conference Tournament in Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 23-25 after Utah State lost at Hawai'i Monday night eliminating them.

The `Dogs finished in the top six in the WAC standings for the first time since 2004 with a 13-14 overall record and a 6-9 record in the WAC.

Hawai'i earned the top seed in the tournament followed by New Mexico State and Idaho. Seeds four through six are still to be determined between Nevada, Boise State and Fresno State with one WAC match remaining for each of the teams.

Nevada hosts Utah State, Boise State travels to Idaho and the Bulldogs head to San Jose State all on Thursday. Currently Nevada and Boise State are tied at 7-8 and Fresno State is 6-9. If all three teams tie at 7-9 Nevada would earn the No. 4 seed, Fresno State No. 5 and Boise State No. 6 because of head-to-head records.

If both Boise State and Nevada win this week then Boise State is fourth and Nevada fifth by virtue of its record vs. Idaho. Fresno State would earn the sixth seed in that situation.

If Fresno State loses to San Jose State the `Dogs would earn the sixth seed.

Utah State, Louisiana Tech and San Jose State have all been eliminated.

Fresno State concludes the regular season this week with a non-conference match at Cal State Bakersfield on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The `Dogs then head to San Jose State for a 7 p.m. match on Thursday.

Scouting Cal State Bakersfield
Fresno State is 1-0 against the Roadrunners this year, defeating them in the season opener 3-0 (25-17, 25-19 and 27-25) at the Save Mart Center on Aug. 28. Cal State Bakersfield is 12-16 overall and 6-7 at home. They have lost three in a row, dropping match to Seattle University, UC Riverside and San Diego State in that span. Lindy DeGeare leads the team with 393 kills and 3.57 kills per set. Kayla Williamson has 613 digs.

Scouting San Jose State
In the first meeting between the two of the season in Fresno, the `Dogs took the match 3-1 (27-29, 25-21, 25-20 and 25-19). The Spartans are 1-25 overall and 1-14 in the WAC. Their lone win was at Spartan Gym on Oct. 17 vs. LA Tech in five sets. They are led by Taylor Japhet with 243 kills, Caitlin Andrade with 719 assists and Kristal Tsukano with 298 digs.

"We Are Your Team" - The `Dogs hit the road to conclude the regular season as they take on Cal State Bakersfield in a non-conference match on Nov. 17 before heading to San Jose State on Nov. 19.