After going 1 – 1 last week on the road, falling to UNLV on Thursday and bouncing back to beat New Mexico on Saturday, the University of Wyoming volleyball team is returning home to take on the Fresno State Bulldogs this Thursday.
Earlier this season the Cowgirls lost 3 – 1 to the Bulldogs in Fresno, but they are hoping their hometown fans will help them pull off the win.
“I’m definitely excited to come back and play at home,” junior Madi Fields said. “Last week wasn’t great so we’re excited get back and have a good environment in the gym.”
Going into Thursday’s game the Bulldogs are 8 – 1 in the Mountain west and 16 – 6 overall. The Cowgirls are 7 – 3 in the Mountain West and 15 – 7 overall. Both teams have had equally tough schedules with similar outcomes, so it’s really anybody’s match at this point.
“We’re excited to get another chance at them (the Bulldogs), especially at home,” Fields said.
The Cowgirls are currently 11 – 0 at home, whereas the Bulldogs are 6 – 2 on the road. Head coach Pete Cuadrado has said that the Cowgirls have continually played better at home than on the road. The Cowgirls are hoping their confidence at home will be a big factor in winning Thursday’s game.
“Playing on the road is always tough without our fan-base being there,” sophomore Jackie McBride said. “I think as the season has gone on we have figured out how to create our own energy. That with the energy of the home environment provides should be really good for us.”
All season the Cowgirls have really put a focus on looking forward and not dwelling on the past. This game could be a prime example of how that can pay off.
“Everyone on the team is still very aware that we did not play to our full potential the first time we played Fresno,” McBride said. “I think everyone is really excited to go out and show Fresno that we really are the better team.”
The game is set to start at 6:30 pm MST this Thursday, October 25 in the Uni-Wyo Sports Complex.
