Cal State Fullerton will play its second straight tournament on the road as the Titans head to the Save Mart Center in Fresno for the Bulldog Showdown hosted by Fresno State. The Titans face Central Michigan and the host Bulldogs on Friday before taking on Sacramento State in the finale on Saturday.
FOLLOW THE TITANS:
Fans can keep up with the latest in Titans athletics by following us on Facebook (FullertonTitans), Twitter (@FullertonTitans), Instagram (@FullertonTitans), and YouTube.com (YouTube.com/csfathletics). In addition, the volleyball team has established its own official Twitter page (@FullertonVB).
CATCH ALL THE ACTION:
Television: None
Streaming Video: Titans fans can catch a live video stream the Cal State Fullerton match with Fresno State on Friday afternoon courtesy of the Mountain West Network. The link can be found on FullertonTitans.com.
Audio Webcast: None
Live Stats: Live in-game stats for all four matches at the Bulldog Showdown will be available. Links at FullertonTitans.com
FRIDAY, SEPT. 11 VS. CENTRAL MICHIGAN (SAVE MART CENTER), 9 A.M.
Cal State Fullerton vs. Central Michigan
Series Record: Central Michigan leads 1-0
First Meeting: Lost, Sept. 9, 1995, 15-0, 8-15, 15-2, 4-15, 11-15
Last Meeting: Lost, Sept. 9, 1995, 15-0, 8-15, 15-2, 4-15, 11-15
Current Streak: Lost 1
Last 10 Meetings: 0-1
CENTRAL MICHIGAN NOTES:
The Titans face the Chippewas for only the second time in the program's history on Friday morning to kick off the Bulldog Showdown. They are led offensively by Jordan Bueter, who leads the team with 88 kills and a 3.38 kills per set average. Jessica Meichtry is second on the squad with 68 kills and a 2.62 average in 26 sets played.
Jamison Wolffis leads the Central Michigan defense with 116 digs in 26 sets played, good for a 4.46 per-set average. Bueter is second on the team with 66 digs and Angelique White has 22 total blocks to lead the team.
The Chippewas are coming off a win over Binghamton at the Cleveland State Invite, their only win of the tournament.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 11 AT FRESNO STATE (SAVE MART CENTER), 4:30 P.M.
Cal State Fullerton at Fresno State
Series Record: Fresno State leads 18-2
First Meeting: Lost, Sept. 16, 1983, 6-15, 11-15
Last Meeting: Lost, Sept. 9, 2000, 13-15, 17-19, 15-7, 9-15
Current Streak: Lost 2
Last 10 Meetings: 2-8
FRESNO STATE NOTES:
After two consecutive weeks in the top five, Fresno State falls to sixth in the weekly Mountain West standings, seven games into the 2015 non-conference slate. Following a ninth-place predicted finish in the MW preseason poll, the Bulldogs currently sit behind No. 14 Colorado State (5-1) in first followed by Wyoming (5-1), New Mexico (4-2) and a two-way tie between Boise State (3-3) and UNLV (3-3).
Individually, Bulldog libero Maggie Eppright ranks second in the conference for the third consecutive week, averaging 5.08 digs per set while setter Brooke Legaux remains in the standings at sixth, with 252 assists (9.69 p/s).
Team wise, the Bulldogs rank among the top five in three of the six categories, including third in assists (319, 12.27 p/s), fifth in kills (342, 13.15 p/s) and fourth in blocks (58, 2.25 p/s). Within the 11-team playing field, Fresno State additionally stands sixth in hitting percentage (.195), seventh in service aces (30) and ninth with 363 digs on the season.
Of the 26 Mountain West competitors who have posted double-doubles, Bowens and fellow outside hitter Aleisha Coates combine with three on the season. Bowens claimed her first on Aug. 29 against Georgia State with 12 kills and 13 digs, followed by 17 kills and 11 digs facing Cal Poly during the 2015 home opener on Sept. 1. Coates logged her first Bulldog double-double against Georgia State at the Catamount Classic with 11 kills and 15 digs coming against the Panthers.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 12 VS. SACRAMENTO STATE (SAVE MART CENTER), 5 P.M.
Cal State Fullerton vs. Sacramento State
Series Record: Tied, 2-2
First Meeting: Won, Oct. 30, 1981, 15-9, 10-15, 15-13, 15-5
Last Meeting: Lost, Sept. 23, 1994, 5-15, 7-15, 16-18
Current Streak: Lost 2
Last 10 Meetings: 2-2
SACRAMENTO STATE NOTES:
• Winners of five straight, Sacramento State (6-1) is off to its best start in 20 years (the 1995 team was 7-0). The 2002 squad also began the year with a 6-1 record.
• In addition, the five-match winning streak is the team's longest since the 2011 squad reeled off six straight victories.
• Sacramento State is coming off a 4-0 week in which it beat CSU Bakersfield in Tuesday's home opener, followed by winning the Hampton Inn & Suites Holly Springs Invitational hosted by Campbell in North Carolina. The Hornets defeated Norfolk State (3-0), UNC Wilmington (3-1) and Campbell (3-1).
• One win this week would give Ruben Volta his 100th career victory as Hornet head coach.
• The Hornets will see a familiar face on Saturday against Fresno State, as Bulldog assistant Sarah Chlebana coached on the Hornet sideline the previous seven seasons.
• Sacramento State currently ranks fourth or better in the Big Sky Conference in every statistical category. That includes second in aces (1.69 per set), and third in kills (13.08), digs (16.62), hitting percentage (.235) and opponents hitting percentage (.144).
• The Hornets have hit better than .200 in every match this year (.195 at San Jose State).
• The team has combined for 178 digs in the last two matches, or 22.25 per set over that span.
• The Hornets (4th, 2.42 bps) have double figures in team blocks in four of the last five matches.
• Sacramento State has combined for 30 aces in its last four matches.
LEADERS THROUGH WEEK TWO:
Summer Kerins continues to lead the Titans offensively with 41 kills in 19 sets played. Her 2.16 per-set average is also tops on the team. Kandace Thomas has racked up 36 kills in 20 sets played (1.80 p/s) and Kyra Smith is third on the team with 24 kills. Senior Mackenzie Olsen has dished out 150 assists (7.50 a/s) and Paige Reed has 67 digs in six matches for the Titans.
LOOKING FOR THE FIRST ONE:
The Titans are 0-6 to start the season, the worst start for the team since 1994. The Titans are hitting just .128 as a team while they are allowing opponents to attack at a .319 clip through the first six matches of the season. Fullerton opponents are also dominating the net in the early going as the Titans are being outblocked at nearly a 2:1 margin. The Titans have 37 blocks (7 solo) in six matches while their opponents have recorded 71 swats (3 solo).
