FRESNO, Calif. – The FPU volleyball team opened its season inside the Special Events Center as they played host to CSU Monterey Bay. Preseason PacWest Player of the Year
Corinne Acosta led the Sunbirds with 15 kills as the team beat the Otters 3-1 (18-25, 26-24, 25-15, 25-19) on Thursday evening.
QUOTABLE
"It was awesome to open up at home and get a solid victory. Monterey Bay is coached by an amazing staff and they came at us strong in all four sets. Our bench was huge tonight, keeping us pumped up and focused.
Anastassiya Barakhoyeva did a tremendous job for us posting a double-double in digs and assists.
Lauren Wamsley was clutch for us tonight hitting .278 with a double-double in digs and kills.
Makena Ogas was also a huge force for us at the net. We have a lot to work on, but we are proud of how things came together tonight." - head coach
Shasta Millhollin.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Sunbirds led the opening set 11-10 before the Otters created a quick 6-0 run that propelled them to take the set 25-18.
- FPU trailed 6-5 in the second set when a kill from Acosta sparked a shot 5-0 run.
- CSUMB scratched their way back to take a late 21-20 lead.
- The Blue and Orange took advantage of a service error that put them up 25-24, followed by a set-ending kill from Acosta.
- A kill from Izzy Bandy tied the third set at four. The Sunbirds put together an. 8-3 run that put the team up 12-7.
- Wamsley hammered home a kill that started a monstrous 12-2 run, helping FPU cruise to a 25-15 set win.
- The Blue and Orange erased an 8-3 run from the Otters that began the fourth set and would tie the set at 11.
- Ogas smashed home the final kill, sealing the fourth set 25-19 and the match 3-1.
STATS FROM THE MATCH:
- Acosta was incredible with 15 kills, adding 18 digs and five block assists.
- Wamsley was impressive in her collegiate debut, racking up 14 kills on a .278 hitting percentage.
- Barakhoyeva ran the offense effectively, leading the team with 25 assists while adding 12 digs for the double-double.
- Catie Speas was also tremendous, finishing the night with 22 assists and 17 digs.
UP NEXT:
- FPU plays two more matches tomorrow inside the Special Events Center. The first takes place at 2:30 p.m. against CSU San Marcos. Following that match is a contest with Stanislaus State that starts at 5:30 p.m.
SUNBIRD SOCIAL:
#TeamFPU
