Broncos Fall as Fresno State Rallies for Win

Thursday, September 26

Fresno, Calif.

7 p.m. MT

Boise State

8-5,0-1Mountain West

Fresno State

5-8,1-1Mountain West

Boise St.

Fresno St.

Huddle shot with the Broncos on court after a point at Arizona on August 30, 2024.

9/26/2024 10:10:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

By: Courtesy: Boise State Athletics

FRESNO, Calif. – Boise State volleyball lost a heartbreaker Thursday night in Fresno, Calif., where they fell victim to a Fresno State rally falling in five sets 23-25, 17-25, 25-17, 25-20, 15-10.

Leading two sets to none, the Broncos hit a cold spell midway through the third and could not shake it. In the meantime, the Bulldogs came to life and surged past the Blue and Orange, claiming three straight sets to win the match.

Set one went back and forth, featuring seven lead changes and 16 ties. Trailing 22-21, Boise State closed on a 4-1 run to take it 25-23. Anabel Kotzakov had a hand on all four points with two kills, a block solo, and a block assist with Annie Kaminski that clinched the set.

Boise State never trailed in the second set and used a 6-1 run to race out to a commanding 12-6 lead. They hit .414 in the set and led by as many as 10 points down the stretch before putting it away 25-17.

The third set was tight until midway through, when the Bulldogs slowly pulled away with an 8-2 run, taking it 25-17.

Boise State started fast in the fourth to go up 11-4, only to watch Fresno State rally. The Bulldogs chipped away at the Bronco lead, surging into the lead at 18-17, eventually claiming the fourth 25-20.

Fresno State took control of the fifth set early, going up 9-2. The Broncos attempted to rally, coming to within three at 9-6, but could get no closer as the Bulldogs won the set 15-10 and the match 3-2.

TOP BRONCOS

Kiersten Van Kirk recorded a career and team-high 13 kills while hitting .286. She also had three digs, one block and finished with a career-high 13.5 points.
Paige Bartsch added her third double-double of the season on 11 kills and a career-tying 18 digs to go with one ace, one block and 12.5 points.
Anabel Kotzakov was the third Bronco to have double-digit kills, finishing with 10 to go with one ace, eight digs, a career-tying five blocks, and a team-best 14 points.
Lillie Etter recorded her second double-double on a career and team-high 21 assists and 14 digs. She also added a career-best seven kills and three blocks.
Bre Mitchell had a season and team-high 23 digs.

NOTABLES

Paige Bartsch moved into fourth place all-time for career points at Boise State with 12.5 against Fresno State, giving her 1,494.5, passing Sabryn Roberts (2015-18), who had 1,484.
Bartsch moved into a tie for 14th on the Boise State career service aces list with 115, tying Sondra Swan (1985-88).
Boise State had a balanced offensive attack with three players recording 10-plus kills and six with six or more.
The loss gives the Bulldogs a slight 24-23 advantage in the all-time series.
Boise State is now 7-7 in MW openers and 30-15 since 1980 in conference openers.