When Alex Shurtz rolled her ankle early in the Seawolf Spike Tournament, the Chico State volleyball team needed someone to step up quickly to make up for the loss of its top offensive weapon. Outside hitter Ellie Larronde more than rose to the challenge, delivering kills in big bunches to keep the Wildcats aggressive at the net, resulting in the team's split of its four weekend matches. Larronde's outstanding play not only earned the Salinas native a spot on the Seawolf Spike All-Tournament team, but also the Wildcat of the Week award.
All told, Larronde racked up 80 kills in the Wildcats' four matches, averaging 5.33 kills per set, while also contributing 47 digs and three solo blocks.
Larronde began the weekend by tying a Seawolf Spike Tournament record with 29 kills in Friday's Wildcat win over Montana State-Billings. The 29 kills were a career-best for Larronde and the most in a single match by any Chico State player since Lindsay Macias collected 30 kills against Cal State Monterey Bay in 2005.
Larronde finished the first day of the Seawolf Spike with a 17-kill performance against No. 12 Western Washington. In Saturday action, her 21 kills led the 'Cats to a four-set victory over Dominican, and she pounded out 13 more kills in a three-set loss to Hawaii Pacific.
Larronde currently boasts a team-high 108 kills on the season and ranks second in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) in kills per set (4.15).
Chico State begins CCAA play Wednesday night, hosting Cal State Stanislaus at Acker Gym, followed by road conference tilts Friday against Cal State Monterey Bay and Saturday versus Cal State East Bay.
