SAN MARCOS, Calif. – Fresno Pacific struggled to find any rhythm on Saturday, as the Sunbirds dropped a pair of matches at the Cal State San Marcos Volleyball Classic. FPU fell to host CSUSM and St. Cloud State in straight sets at The Sports Center.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final Game One: Cal State San Marcos 3, Fresno Pacific 0
Set Scores: 25-22, 25-22, 25-18
Records: FPU (1-2), CSUSM (2-1)
Location:  San Marcos, Calif. | The Sports Center
Series: 2-0 in favor of the Cougars (last played in 2011)
 
Final Game Two: St. Cloud State 3, Fresno Pacific 0
Set Scores: 25-22, 25-22, 25-21
Records: FPU (1-3), SCSU (5-0)
Location:  San Marcos, Calif. | The Sports Center
Series: First ever meeting
 
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Sunbirds started strong in the first set against CSUSM, leading 17-14 before the Cougars used a 6-1 run to take control.
• FPU also had a chance to win set two with the game tied at 22-22, but couldn't close out the win. The Cougars then carried the momentum into the final frame to earn the sweep.
 
• In game two, the Huskies jumped out to a quick start against the Sunbirds. FPU's best opportunity to steal a set came in the second, when the Sunbirds used a 6-0 run, but it was too little too late as SCSU closed out the win.
 
STATS OF THE GAME:
• Caroline Bodziak recorded her second double-digit kill effort of the season with 12 on a season-best .500 hitting to lead FPU against CSUSM.
• Greta Dobenecker dished out 19 assists and recorded 14 digs, while Kylei Dewar amassed nine kills on .381 hitting and Gabriela Macedo had a season-best 10 digs.
• The Sunbirds hit .206 as a team, the highest clip of the year, but CSUSM countered at .297. FPU was also out-blocked 8-3.
• The Cougars received 14 kills apiece from Micah Hebert and Maddy Newcombe.
 
• In the nightcap against SCSU, the Sunbirds received a team-high eight kills (.273) from Karah Mitchell. She also added eight digs, three blocks and two service aces.
• Dobenecker had 16 assists and 11 digs, good for her third double-double of the year, Dewar chipped in seven kills and Sierra LeBeau had 10 digs.
• The Sunbirds were held to .093 hitting as a team.
• Nicole Miller led St. Cloud State with 12 kills on .440 hitting.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• Dewar was named to Cougar Classic All-Tournament Team.
• FPU last faced CSUSM in 2011, a matchup that went in the Cougars favor 3-1. The Sunbirds were ranked #1 overall in the NAIA at the time of the loss.
• SCSU is off to its first 5-0 start since 1985.
 
UP NEXT:
• The Sunbirds now travel to the West Region Showcase from Sept. 7-9 in Monmouth, Ore. FPU opens the tournament against Cal State East Bay at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7.