FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State volleyball team fought one of its toughest battles, but the Bulldogs were unable to overcome the Mountain West–leading Utah State Aggies in a 3-0 loss on Thursday night at the Save Mart Center. Set scores were 25-22, 25-22 and 25-21.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State opened with strong ball control and maintained an early offensive balance, staying within a point of its opponents through much of the first half. Back-to-back kills from Haluska and Bitter narrowed the gap to 15-10 after a Utah State run, but the Bulldogs responded with a 7-4 stretch that included three more Haluska kills and a Washington ace, closing it to 19-17. Fresno State continued to side out efficiently, but the Aggies found timely kills late to edge out the 25-22 win despite the Bulldogs hitting .341 in the frame.
The Bulldogs again opened confidently, with Legault and Sellers sparking the attack as Fresno State held several early one-point leads in a set that featured 12 ties. Haluska stayed hot with six kills in the frame, and the Bulldogs used a small push to take a 16-14 lead midway through. Utah State countered with a 5-1 run, aided by two aces and extended rallies that shifted momentum. Fresno State pulled within 23-22 after a pair of late kills from Legault, but Utah State closed out the set on a service ace.
Fresno State again hung tight in another back-and-forth start, with Sellers and Legault contributing early points and Haluska continuing to shoulder the offensive load. A four-point Utah State run put the Bulldogs down 12-8, but Fresno State responded with a 5-1 spark highlighted by a Haluska–Sellers block and an aggressive swing from Bitter to tie it at 13. The Aggies' block then took hold, and despite Fresno State clawing within three late, Utah State secured the sweep with a 25-21 finish.
NOTES
The Bulldogs finished with 45 kills, matching Utah State's total, and hit .263, their strongest percentage in conference play over the last month.
Addison Haluska delivered another standout performance with 21 kills, while the Fresno State middles contributed efficiently at the net.
Addison Haluska totaled 21 kills and 10 digs, with a .333 hitting percentage.
The Bulldogs' .263 team hitting percentage is their second-best of Mountain West play.
Haluska recorded her third 20-kill match of the season.
Sellers tied her season-high with 5 total blocks.
UP NEXT
Fresno State will celebrate Addison Haluska on Senior Day, Saturday, November 15, at noon against Boise State.