SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Fresno State volleyball team defeated the San Jose State Spartans on the road as part of the Mountain West Tuesday Night Block Party, 3-2.
The Bulldogs are now in second place in the MW standings with a 12-5 record in conference play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State took an early 4–1 lead with a kill and a service ace from Ella Rud setting the tone. San Jose State responded with a mid-set rally, capitalizing on their strong offense and service errors by the Bulldogs. The Spartans pulled away after a series of attacking errors by Fresno State, closing the set 25-19 with a dominant blocking presence.
The second set marked a turnaround for the Bulldogs, driven by Addison Haluska's impressive serving streak. Haluska's four consecutive aces ignited a decisive 6–0 run, extending Fresno State's lead to 15–7. Brooke Cowie's distribution allowed Ella Rud and Jenna Legault to execute effective attacks. Fresno State maintained control and claimed a 25-19 set win, closing the set with a block by Mya Sellers and a Spartan service error.
Fresno State carried its momentum into the third set, opening with consecutive kills by Kasey Purry. The Bulldogs' balanced offense established an 18–13 lead. A clutch service ace by Dionii Fraga broke San Jose State's rhythm late in the set. A combination of disciplined defense and timely kills sealed the victory, 25-21.
San Jose State regained control in the fourth set. Despite early kills from Haluska and Rud, the Bulldogs struggled with errors at critical junctures. A 5–1 Spartan run created a gap Fresno State couldn't overcome and the Bulldogs dropped the set 25-20.
The Bulldogs reestablished their rhythm in the decisive fifth set. Haluska's service ace gave Fresno State an early edge and kills by Purry and Rud helped maintain the lead. A crucial block by Purry put an end to a late Spartan push, and Haluska's final kill secured the Bulldogs' hard-fought victory, 15-12 and 3-2 overall.
NOTES
Addison Haluska led the charge with 20 kills on the night and surpassed the 1,000 career kills milestone in only her junior season.
Sophomore and reigning MW Freshman of the Year Dionii Fraga surpassed 1,000 career digs with 21 on the night.
The Bulldogs have now claimed a win over all but one team in the MW this season with the conference tournament only a week away.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will close out the regular season with a match at Boise State on Saturday at 11 a.m. PT.