Valley sports briefs: Fresno State Bulldogs fourth in MWC volleyball poll

Fresno State was picked to finish fourth in the Mountain West by the conference’s volleyball coaches.

Defending league champion Colorado State is the favorite. The Rams collected eight first-place votes and 80 total points. San Diego State, the 2011 runner-up, was second with 69 points. Wyoming earned the other first-place vote and 66 points for third, and Fresno State had 45 points.

Fresno State opens the regular season on Aug. 24 at the El Paso Sports Commission Invitational, although the Bulldogs will play an alumni exhibition match at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Fresno State hires equestrian coach

Collins Daye was hired as Fresno State’s equestrian coach. The former champion rider and assistant coach for Georgia replaces Rebecca Malmo, who resigned in 2010.

As a rider, Daye rode for Georgia from 2001-03 and led the team to back-to-back Huntseat national championships and the 2003 overall title. She also won the 2003 individual championship and earned the 2002 reserve national individual championship. As an assistant, Daye helped Georgia to the 2004 and 2005 Huntseat and overall national championships.

Fresnan earns soccer accolade

Julian Carvajal of Fresno was named a Summer Citrus Soccer Star.

The 9-year-old Mountain View Elementary student was one of eight players nationally selected to receive the 2012 South African Summer Citrus Soccer Star award.One boy and one girl were selected for the award from each of the four U.S. Youth Soccer regions based on commitment, leadership and a spirit of service, both on and off the soccer field.

Valley Vipers take track and field titles

Three Valley Vipers track and field athletes were crowned national champions at the AAU National Junior Olympics in Houston.

The national champions were: incoming Clovis North freshman Rhesa Foster, who set the new national record for youth 13-14 in the long jump at 19 feet, 9 1/2 inches; Clovis North’s Mikaela Smith in the 800 for intermediate 14-15 and Sami Ikuma (Clovis West) in steeplechase for intermediate 14-15.