Oct. 22, 2005
Box Score
Fresno, Calif. - The University of Nevada(13-8, 7-3 WAC) lost back-to-back Western Athletic Conference matches for the first time this season falling 3-2 at Fresno State(4-14, 2-6 WAC) in the North Gym in Fresno, Calif. Saturday afternoon. The Wolf Pack played their third consecutive five-game match and has dropped the last two. The loss leaves the team at 13-8 overall and 7-3 WAC action while the Bulldogs won for the just the fourth time this season to improve to 4-14 on the season and for the second time in conference action giving them a 2-6 league mark.
Nevada had to rally from a two games to one deficit to force a deciding fifth game. The final game was tied eight times and there were four lead changes before FS prevailed 18-16 to take the match 3-2. With the game tied at 16-16 the Bulldogs got a kill from Kasie Spencer to go in front 17-16. An attack error by Pack outside hitter Carly Sorensen gave FS the two-point victory 18-16 and the match 3-2. Both teams hit well in the final game with the Bulldogs holding a .435 to .360 advantage.
Game one was tied 10 times and there were two lead changes before the Pack won 30-28 to take the one game lead. Nevada trailed 28-24 but scored the next six points to take the game 30-28. Setter Ashley Miller completed the comeback with a service ace to score the Pack's 30th point. Nevada hit .237 and FS .203 in game one.
It looked as Nevada would cruise to an easy win in game two as the Wolf Pack jumped out to a 10-point lead at 11-1 but FS rallied back to tie the score at 27-27. With the game tied at 30-30 Alison Pitton's kill put the Bulldogs in front 31-30 and then Jessica Peterson, and Alisha McKee combined on a block to give FS the game 32-30 as the match was tied at one game apiece. Both teams struggled as FS hit .111 and Nevada just .062 in the second game.
FS came out of the locker room on fire in game three jumping out to a 15-4 advantage but this time the Pack would rally to catch the Bulldogs at 21-21. FS responded to the challenge scoring the next six points and cruised from there in winning 30-23 to take the 2-1 games advantage. The Bulldogs hit .225 in game three and the Pack zero.
Nevada would need a victory in game four to force deciding fifth game and did just that in winning 30-24. After scoring the first point in game four the Pack did not trail on the way to evening the match at two games each but FS took the match 3-2 after claiming game five 18-16. Nevada held a slight hitting advantage in game four at .167 to 116.
Five Nevada players reached double figures in kills led by Sorensen's 18. Sorensen posted a double-double as she tied libero Christine Harms with a match high 24 digs. The 24 digs are career highs for both players and the most by a Pack player this season. Junior Brianne Davis totaled a career high 16 kills while sophomore Karly Sipherd finished with 14. Teal Ericson, and Erika Ryan had 12 kills each in the match. The 12 kills by Ryan are a career high. Pack setters Tristin Johnson, and Ashley Miller finished with 31, and 28 assists respectively. Senior defensive specialist Lindsay Holda reached double figures in digs with 14.
Pitton posted a match high 29 kills and Spencer added 17 for FS. Setter Robyn Keune dished out a match high 62 assists and totaled 10 digs to record a double-double. Cheryl Selenak(23), Cassie Gilford(19), and McKee(10) also reached double figures in digs.
FS out hit Nevada .195 to .151 and won the blocking battle 10-8. Sipherd led Nevada with five blocks and Spencer had five for the Bulldogs.
The Pack return home to host 11th ranked Hawai`i on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the Virginia Street Gym.
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