SACRAMENTO – The Fresno State volleyball team dropped a hard-fought battle to Pacific in three sets on Thursday evening at The Nest, falling 27-25, 25-23, 25-19 in the neutral-site matchup.
The Bulldogs (3-6) went toe-to-toe with the Tigers (5-4), pushing the first two sets to the wire behind a balanced offensive effort and a strong night at the net. Fresno State finished with 12 total team blocks, led by Addison Haluska and Brooklyn Washington.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fresno State opened the night by trading points throughout a back-and-forth first frame that featured 18 ties. The Bulldogs built momentum late, sparked by kills from Jenna Legault and Haluska, and pulled ahead at 24-23. Despite holding set point, the Tigers rallied to take four of the final five points and edged out the set, 27-25.
The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead in the second, powered by a service ace from Jayden Xiong and blocks at the net from Haluska and Washington. Fresno State held a 22-20 advantage late, but Pacific responded with a late push, scoring five of the final six points to take the set, 25-23.
Pacific carried its momentum into the third frame, building an early lead. Fresno State responded with strong defensive play and back-to-back service aces from Olivia Lombardi to cut into the deficit, but the Tigers pulled away down the stretch to close out the match, 25-19.
NOTES
Haluska led the Bulldogs with 10 kills and four blocks, while Legault added nine kills, eight digs, and three blocks.
Setter Gabby Lombardi dished out 23 assists with eight digs, and Olivia Lombardi tallied a team-high 10 digs to go with three service aces.
The Bulldogs had 12 total team blocks.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will return to The Nest to challenge CSU Bakersfield tomorrow at 4 p.m. PT.