FRESNO, Calif. – Even with a slow start to the match, the (RV) LMU women's volleyball team (2-1) claimed the final three sets of Friday's game against Fresno State (0-1) to take down the tournament hosts, 3-1 (22-25, 25-14, 25-10, 25-17).
 
"We had a really nice defensive effort this afternoon," said Head Coach Aaron Mansfield. "Our serving was really effective, and we blocked really well as a unit, and that made it tough on them to find points. We got off to a slow start in a couple of the sets and we are really proud of how we responded and how quickly we were able to turn it around. Fresno State is a well-coached team that is going to do some damage in conference play."
 
Fresno State opened the match with three straight points and jumped ahead 6-1. The Lions clawed back to ultimately tie the set at 21-21 off a kill by Rose Booth, before the Bulldogs closed it out for the early advantage.
 
The Lions took an early advantage in the second set, doubling up FSU 8-4, then later benefitting from four unanswered points to take a 14-8 lead. With LMU already leading 17-11, an Audrey Klemp kill sparked a run of six unanswered points to push the team ahead by a dozen, 23-11. Ella Boehle closed out the set with an ace to even things heading into the third.
 
A duo block by Kari Geissberger and Emmelyn Walters in the third set allowed LMU to double up Fresno State 10-5 early on and force an FSU timeout. The Lions did not slow up, finishing the set with 12 of the final 14 points, including seven unanswered to take the set. The Lions recorded 15 kills in the set on a .542 hitting percentage
 
In order to win the match, LMU had to erase an 8-1 deficit in the fourth set. The Lions used five consecutive points to cut it to a two-point difference, trailing 9-7. It was a similar run of six unanswered points that final allowed LMU to surpass the Bulldogs and take the lead for the first time 15-12. The lead was extended to 19-13 before the Lions took the set and the match with a 23-17 win.
 
Isabella Bareford finished with a game-high 42 assists. Megan Rice led the way with 17 kills and 22.0 points. Mary Shroll's 13 digs also were match highs. Geissberger added 9.0 blocks to lead in that category.

LMU will return to the court for a pair of matches on Saturday. LMU will first face UC Riverside at 11:00 am, then play CSUN later in the afternoon for a 4pm start. Both games will feature live stats, but no live video from Fresno.