LOGAN, Utah – The Fresno State volleyball team snapped its five-match winning streak with a loss to Utah State on the road in straight sets Saturday afternoon.
The Bulldogs are now tied for second place in the Mountain West with San Jose State, sharing a 7-3 conference record.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State came out strong, keeping pace with Utah State early in the set. The Bulldogs managed to go on a mini-run around the midway point, with a block from Addison Haluska helping Fresno State narrow the Aggies' lead. Another block, this time by Kasey Purry and Haluska tightened the score to 11-11. However, Utah State surged ahead again with a four-point streak, capitalizing on several attacking errors by Fresno State. Despite a late push with kills from Ella Rud and a service ace from Rud to bring Fresno State within one at 22-23, Utah State secured the final points to take the set 25-22.
The Bulldogs began the second set with a strong serving run from Ella Rud, which included an ace to gain an early lead. This momentum carried them to a 12-8 lead, as Haluska and Rud continued to deliver critical kills. Utah State, however, went on an unanswered six-point streak, powered by a combination of kills and Fresno State errors, bringing the Aggies ahead. Fresno State fought back to keep the set close, tying at 16 with a kill from Brooke Cowie, but a string of Bulldog errors let Utah State close out the set, winning 25-20.
Rud's offensive contributions and solid blocks by Purry and Jenna Legault allowed the Bulldogs to claw back from an early deficit in the third set. Fresno State leveled the score at 6-6 and later went on a four-point streak to tie it at 23-23, with a solo block from Purry playing a pivotal role. The Bulldogs forced extra points, but Utah State ultimately sealed the set at 27-25, sweeping the match despite Fresno State's late-game surge and determined play.
NOTES
With 38 assists against the Aggies, Brooke Cowie surpassed the 3,000-career assist milestone.
Mya Sellers led the team hitting .667 with four kills as a middle blocker.
The 'Dogs are now 2-3 in three-set matches with their first loss in straight sets in MW play.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs return home this week with matches against New Mexico and Air Force at the Save Mart Center.