FRESNO, Calif. – The Fresno State volleyball team snapped a five-game losing streak with a five-set win over CSUN to close out the Bulldog Invitational at home this weekend.
The hard-fought victory elevates the Bulldogs to 3-5 on the season, going into the final three nonconference matches of the regular season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
CSUN jumped out to an early lead in the match, using a late run to close out the opening set 25-20 despite four kills from senior opposite Addison Haluska. Fresno State responded in the second, hitting .417 as a team behind balanced play from Haluska, Madison Pulsipher and Jenna Legault. The Bulldogs controlled the frame late and evened the match with a 25-20 win.
The Matadors regained the advantage in the third, edging Fresno State 25-22 in a back-and-forth battle. Legault added six kills, but CSUN capitalized on Bulldog miscues in the final rallies to take the 2-1 match lead.
Fresno State forced a decisive fifth set by grinding out a 25-23 win in the fourth. Haluska dominated with nine kills in the frame while setter Gabby Lombardi spread the ball efficiently to keep the Bulldog offense balanced. After trailing 23-22, Fresno State closed on a 3-1 run, capped by a Haluska kill to extend the match.
The Bulldogs finished strong in the fifth, outhitting CSUN .429 to .292 in the final frame. With the score tied at 14-all, Haluska struck for her 31st kill of the match that sealed the comeback 16-14 victory.
NOTES
Haluska delivered a dominant performance with a career-high 31 kills on .433 hitting, adding five blocks and 34 total points.
Jenna Legault added 14 kills and two service aces, while Pulsipher chipped in 10 kills and three blocks in her Bulldog debut.
Setter Gabby Lombardi dished out 43 assists to pace the offense, while Olivia Lombardi anchored the back row with 18 digs.
Fresno State hit .286 as a team and posted 13.5 total team blocks.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will close out their nonconference schedule at the Central Cal Challenge hosted by Sacramento State beginning on Thursday.