Cowgirl Comeback Falls Just Short in Five-Set Heartbreaker
Photo courtesy University of Wyoming Athletics
UW’s reverse sweep ends in the fifth to Fresno State
LARAMIE, Wyo. (Oct. 3, 2024) – The Wyoming Cowgirl volleyball team’s valiant comeback fell just short Thursday night against Fresno State, inside the UniWyo Sports Complex. Set scores went 18-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-23 and 14-16.
After the Bulldogs (6-8, 2-1 MW) dominated the first two sets, the Cowgirls (9-5, 1-2 MW) looked dead in the water. However, a spirited effort in the third and fourth sets, forced a decisive fifth set. The Cowgirls were in control for most of the fifth, and even had an 11-8 lead, but a quick 4-0 burst from Fresno put it in front for the first time in the set at 12-8 and it wouldn’t relinquish the lead the rest of the frame, despite UW tying the set at 12-12, 13-13 and 14-14.
The Cowgirls were out-hit in the first two sets .250 to .105 and had just one block while falling behind two sets to none. The UW block eventually came around, as the Cowgirls had nine total for the match. The Cowgirls also hit .314 and .216, respectively in the third and fourth sets while holding the Bulldogs to .278 and .118. Fresno State hit a blistering .316 in the fifth while UW hit .240. For the match, Fresno hit .235 as a team while the Cowgirls hit .191.
Wyoming enjoyed a 8-6 edge in service aces, but committed twice as many serving errors as the Bulldogs, 18-9. Fresno State had 10 blocks overall. UW recorded eight more points (80-72) and seven more kills (63-56) in the loss.
Paige Lauterwasser was dynamic on offense to lead the way Thursday. Lauterwasser, who recorded a double-double, was one off tying her career-high with 22 kills on the night. Lauterwasser hit .327 for the match and had 12 digs. Sarah Holcomb and Sonte Stewart notched 11 kills each with Holcomb hitting .346. Holcomb, Kayla Mazzocca and Reagan Sharp all led the Cowgirls with four total blocks each.
Kasia Partyka tallied her eighth double-double of the season and the 31st of her Cowgirl career. Partyka had 45 assists in the loss and had 10 digs. Partyka also recorded four kills in the contest and a pair of service aces. In the back row, Sierra Grizzle led UW with 19 digs while Kendal Rivera had eight. At the service line, Skylar Erickson led the team with a trio of aces.
Wyoming will next travel to Fort Collins for Round One of the Border War with Colorado State. The Cowgirls face the Rams at 6 p.m., Tuesday October 8.