FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State volleyball team opened the Central Cal Challenge with a four-set loss to the Pacific Tigers on Friday evening in the Save Mart Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State started with strong energy, keeping pace with Pacific early in the set. Jenna Legault and Ella Rud led the charge offensively, combining for three kills that kept the Bulldogs in the game. However, Pacific found their rhythm, pulling away after the midway point with aggressive attacks. Despite the Bulldogs' efforts, they struggled with errors, which allowed Pacific to claim the set, 25-15.
Fresno State rebounded with an impressive showing in the second set. The Bulldogs cleaned up their unforced errors, improving both their serve reception and attack efficiency. Rud and Addison Haluska were central to the offense, delivering 11 combined kills and putting Pacific's defense under constant pressure. Setter Brooke Cowie tallied a match-high 11 assists in the set, while Sydney Gazzaniga and Dionii Fraga were sharp defensively, with 11 combined digs that extended rallies and frustrated Pacific's hitters, allowing the Bulldogs to win the set 25-19.
The third was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading points throughout. Fresno State kept things tight with aggressive offense from Rud, who continued to be a standout performer with seven kills in the set. The Bulldogs held leads at several points in the set, but a few untimely errors—particularly in the final stretch—proved costly. Pacific capitalized on these miscues to edge out Fresno State in the 25-22 loss for the 'Dogs.
The Bulldogs matched Pacific point-for-point for most of the fourth set, evidenced by eight tied scores. Rud again led the way offensively with five kills in the set while Cowie orchestrated the attack with 34 assists in total, ensuring a balanced offense throughout the match. The Bulldogs held firm defensively, with Cowie leading the team with eight digs in the set. Fresno State faltered in the closing moments, allowing Pacific to go on a small run to close out the set 25-22 and the match 3-1.
NOTES
Ella Rud led the team with 19 kills in her third double-double of the season, totaling 11 digs.
A season-high three Bulldogs earned double-doubles against Pacific in Cowie (34 assists & 14 digs), Rud (19 kills & 11 digs) and Haluska (12 kills & 11 digs).
UP NEXT
The Central Cal Challenge continues as the Bulldogs face Sacramento State at 6 p.m. in the Save Mart Center on Saturday.