Colorado State University Athletics
Thursday, October 10
Fort Collins, Colo.
7:00 PM MT
Colorado State
15-1, 5-0MW
3
vs
0
Fresno State
10-7, 3-2MW
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno State | 22 | 20 | 17 | 0 |
| Colorado State | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Hillyer Records 1000th Kill as No. 15 Rams Sweep Bulldogs
10/10/2019 10:18:00 PM | Volleyball
Senior middle blocker, Kirstie Hillyer recorded her 1,000th kill of her career as CSU extends its winning streak to 14 straight.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The Rams are being challenged.
Before the conference schedule even started, No. 15 Colorado State (15-1, 5-0 MW) knew it'd carry a target. The bullseye would be placed squarely on the logo of the team who dominated the conference for over a decade.
Fresno State (10-7, 3-2 MW) had the same goal, but their fortunes were similar to the rest of the Rams' four conference opponents this year in a sweep, 25-22, 25-20, 25-17. It was just their second three-set match in five tries against the Mountain West.
Across each of their last three matches, including the latest win, the Rams have been forced into a skirmish.
"I think it just gives us that much more motivation, (knowing) that we do have that target on our backs," Kirstie Hillyer said. "Each game (we go) out, we want to win it that much more. I think it just boosts us."
Being the proverbial Goliath while all other teams are David is something the veterans of the team are used to. The years of experience prepared them, but they're facing a tougher test than usual.
The score was often in the Bulldogs' favor Thursday, reversing the two team's usual roles in their battles – matches which have gone the Rams' way in nine of their last 10 meetings.
"I definitely feel a sense of maturity out there," Katie Oleksak said. "Just looking around me and knowing we're still in it even if we're behind."
In all, the Bulldogs forced 11 ties and five score changes.
Teams are playing the Rams aggressively. An opposition's nothing-to-lose attitude is something that's become commonplace. Their latest opposition entered the match as the top serving team in the conference, giving the vigor a refinement.
"They know they have to go for it to beat us," Hilbert said. "That team always serves that well. I think it's not necessarily a risk (for them). Conference is a different animal. You get into conference and people are prepared… they know you – they've played you before.
"All of our matches will be competitive. I'm actually kind of glad. I think it's important that we are always on edge."
The Rams responded by allowing only four services aces. Their efforts with serve receive worked, but the Bulldogs brought forth a new wrinkle. Amaria Kelley wasn't expected to play, while the conference's leading hitter, Desiree Sukhov, was also a new challenge for Hilbert. After transferring from CSU-Bakersfield, film is all the Rams had beforehand on the outside hitter.
Once again, Hilbert trusted the veterans.
"I'm lucky I have five seniors. We can make adjustments in matches," Hilbert said. "They did a bunch of things that were things they just threw at us. These guys are resilient. They understand the game."
It's been a flawless start to the conference year. In three of the five matches, the Rams have been forced to go into extra sets – the same number they faced across 11 out-of-conference bouts.
Tough matches are just a precursor for the battles of the postseason.
"I think it's good to have tough matches, because that's how it's going to be in the NCAA Tournament," Oleksak said. "I think it's kind of a blessing in disguise."
MATCH NOTES
- Kirstie Hillyer recorded her 1,000th kill of her career midway through the second set
- Hillyer now joins an elite group of CSU legions, with 1,000 kills and 500 blocks in her career (Mekana Barnes, Megan Plourde, Angela Knopf)
- Paulina Hougaard-Jensen led the Rams offense with 10 kills, while hitting .444
- Breana Runnels failed to reach double-figure kills, finishing the match with nine and nine digs
- Katie Oleksak was all over the floor, dishing out 36 assists, adding four kills, six digs and a block
- Alyssa Bert was dangerous from the service line with three aces
- The Rams finished hitting .348 in the match, while keeping the Bulldogs to a .133 mark
UP NEXT
Colorado State will stay home and host San Diego State on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m., MT in Moby Arena.
Before the conference schedule even started, No. 15 Colorado State (15-1, 5-0 MW) knew it'd carry a target. The bullseye would be placed squarely on the logo of the team who dominated the conference for over a decade.
Fresno State (10-7, 3-2 MW) had the same goal, but their fortunes were similar to the rest of the Rams' four conference opponents this year in a sweep, 25-22, 25-20, 25-17. It was just their second three-set match in five tries against the Mountain West.
Across each of their last three matches, including the latest win, the Rams have been forced into a skirmish.
"I think it just gives us that much more motivation, (knowing) that we do have that target on our backs," Kirstie Hillyer said. "Each game (we go) out, we want to win it that much more. I think it just boosts us."
Being the proverbial Goliath while all other teams are David is something the veterans of the team are used to. The years of experience prepared them, but they're facing a tougher test than usual.
The score was often in the Bulldogs' favor Thursday, reversing the two team's usual roles in their battles – matches which have gone the Rams' way in nine of their last 10 meetings.
"I definitely feel a sense of maturity out there," Katie Oleksak said. "Just looking around me and knowing we're still in it even if we're behind."
In all, the Bulldogs forced 11 ties and five score changes.
Teams are playing the Rams aggressively. An opposition's nothing-to-lose attitude is something that's become commonplace. Their latest opposition entered the match as the top serving team in the conference, giving the vigor a refinement.
"They know they have to go for it to beat us," Hilbert said. "That team always serves that well. I think it's not necessarily a risk (for them). Conference is a different animal. You get into conference and people are prepared… they know you – they've played you before.
"All of our matches will be competitive. I'm actually kind of glad. I think it's important that we are always on edge."
The Rams responded by allowing only four services aces. Their efforts with serve receive worked, but the Bulldogs brought forth a new wrinkle. Amaria Kelley wasn't expected to play, while the conference's leading hitter, Desiree Sukhov, was also a new challenge for Hilbert. After transferring from CSU-Bakersfield, film is all the Rams had beforehand on the outside hitter.
Once again, Hilbert trusted the veterans.
"I'm lucky I have five seniors. We can make adjustments in matches," Hilbert said. "They did a bunch of things that were things they just threw at us. These guys are resilient. They understand the game."
It's been a flawless start to the conference year. In three of the five matches, the Rams have been forced to go into extra sets – the same number they faced across 11 out-of-conference bouts.
Tough matches are just a precursor for the battles of the postseason.
"I think it's good to have tough matches, because that's how it's going to be in the NCAA Tournament," Oleksak said. "I think it's kind of a blessing in disguise."
MATCH NOTES
- Kirstie Hillyer recorded her 1,000th kill of her career midway through the second set
- Hillyer now joins an elite group of CSU legions, with 1,000 kills and 500 blocks in her career (Mekana Barnes, Megan Plourde, Angela Knopf)
- Paulina Hougaard-Jensen led the Rams offense with 10 kills, while hitting .444
- Breana Runnels failed to reach double-figure kills, finishing the match with nine and nine digs
- Katie Oleksak was all over the floor, dishing out 36 assists, adding four kills, six digs and a block
- Alyssa Bert was dangerous from the service line with three aces
- The Rams finished hitting .348 in the match, while keeping the Bulldogs to a .133 mark
UP NEXT
Colorado State will stay home and host San Diego State on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m., MT in Moby Arena.
#PointRams
Team Stats
FS
CSU
Kills
35
43
Errors
20
11
Attempts
113
92
Hitting %
.133
.348
Points
44.0
55.0
Assists
32
39
Aces
4
6
Blocks
5.0
6.0
Game Leaders
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
9
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
DS/L
/ VolleyballMB
/ VolleyballMB
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballOH
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