FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State volleyball team celebrated Senior Day with a thrilling five-set match at the Save Mart Center on Saturday.
The Bulldogs defeated the Wyoming Cowgirls 3-2 in a comeback victory to wrap up Fresno State's final homestand of 2024.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bulldogs started strong, building an early lead fueled by precise serving and a well-timed kill by Ella Rud. Kasey Purry and Rud combined for a block that sparked a 5-0 streak to force a Wyoming timeout. Fresno State maintained momentum with Addison Haluska finishing off the set with a kill from a Brooke Cowie assist.
Wyoming fought back in the second set, using a series of Fresno State attack errors to go on a 6-0 scoring run midway through. Despite Rud's continued offensive output, including three kills in the set, the Bulldogs struggled to find consistency and dropped the frame, 25-18.
The Bulldogs started the third set evenly matched, with both teams trading points. Fresno State went on a late 4-0 run, highlighted by a service ace from Jenna Legault and a massive block by Purry. However, Wyoming's defense held strong in the closing moments, narrowly escaping with the set win after a missed attack by Fresno State.
Facing elimination, the Bulldogs showed their resilience. A service ace from Jayden Xiong turned the tide, sparking a 7-2 run that included back-to-back kills by Haluska. Fresno State maintained the lead with strong blocking at the net from Purry and Haluska, sealing the set with a powerful swing by Rud, 25-22.
In the decisive set, Fresno State came out firing, jumping to a 4-0 lead thanks to Cowie's serving and another block by Purry. The Bulldogs controlled the pace throughout the set, with Olivia Keller delivering a kill to cap off a dominant performance. Fresno State finished the match in style, capitalizing on Wyoming's errors to secure the 15-7 victory.
NOTES
For the first time since joining the Mountain West, the Bulldogs have won over 10 conference matches in back-to-back seasons.
Kasey Purry recorded 10.0 total blocks in the match, tying the team-high she set against Nevada in October.
Fresno States seniors combined for 29 kills, 34 assists and 12 blocks on the day.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs are slated to face San Jose State on Tuesday, November 19 at 7 p.m. as part of the Mountain West Tuesday Night Block Party.