Chico State Athletics

Sophomore Jessica Leek served as the Chico State volleyball team's top offensive weapon as the Wildcats opened the 2010 season with a 3-1 record at the Sonoma State-hosted Seawolf Spike Tournament. Leek pounded out a team-high 55 kills, adding 20 digs, four service aces, two solo blocks and seven block assists to earn Seawolf Spike All-Tournament team honors. She's also the Wildcat of the Week.

Leek’s best match of the tournament was Chico State’s four-set victory Friday over BYU-Hawaii. The Laguna Niguel native piled up 22 kills and posted a .459 hitting percentage against the Seasiders, and contributed eight digs, one solo block and one block assist. Leek recorded 11 kills in Friday’s season opener against Dominican and another 15 kills Saturday as the Wildcats downed Grand Canyon.

Leek enters the week ranked fourth in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) in kills, fourth in hitting percentage (.364), seventh in kills per set (3.44) and seventh in points per set (4.03).

Chico State takes on William Jessup University Tuesday at Acker Gym before opening CCAA play Friday and Saturday on the road against Cal State L.A. and Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Oh yeah, and Janjigian has helped Chico State’s defense hold its two opponents to a total of one goal on just 12 shots. Not a bad start to his career.

Janjigian, who redshirted last season, is now tied with returning All-California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) selection Chris Akwaja for the team lead in points, goals and assists.

His first collegiate goal came in the 88th minute Thursday when he knocked home a deflected header from the top of the six-yard box to lift the Wildcats to a thrilling 2-1 victory over Western Washington in the season opener for both teams.

Urged by Wildcats Head Coach Felipe Restrepo to move into the box for a corner kick more than likely because of his strapping 6-foot-3 frame, Janjigian was there to pounce after Western Washington goalkeeper Christian Warman was unable to corral Akwaja’s header at the far post. It bounced twice to Janjigian, who jammed it home.

Monday, Janjigian tallied his first collegiate assist. He just got the top of his head on Ryan Nevarez’s long throw in and it skimmed off to the near post where Ferid Celosmanovic waited. He let it get beyond him and clear the post before looping his right foot behind his left leg and directing the ball into the net to make it 1-0 in the 61st minute.

Janjigian and the Wildcats will open CCAA play on the road next weekend. The Wildcats will travel to Cal State Monterey Bay on Friday and San Francisco State Sunday.