Shannon Boling has worked and waited for two years to become a key part of the Chico State volleyball team's offense, and at the season-opening Seattle Pacific Tournament it all came together for the junior from Benicia. Boling led the 'Cats in kills during the three-match tourney, including a career-high 17 in Saturday's victory over Western Oregon. Her booming performance in the Pacific Northwest makes Boling the first Wildcat of the Week of 2014-15.
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All told, Boling connected for 34 kills – four more than she had all last season. She averaged 3.78 kills per set and posted an impressive .321 attack percentage. She also added 12 digs and a block to Chico State's efforts over the weekend.
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In Thursday's season opener against tournament host Seattle Pacific, Boling led the Wildcats with eight kills, followed by a nine-kill performance Friday versus Dixie State. Boling saved her best for last, blasting a career-high 17 kills and putting up a glittering .433 attack percentage as the 'Cats swept Western Oregon Saturday for Chico State's first win of the season.
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Boling finished the first week of the 2014 campaign ranked fourth in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) in kills per set and sixth in attack percentage.
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Boling and the Wildcats open up CCAA play this weekend, traveling to southern California to take on Cal Poly Pomona Friday and UC San Diego on Saturday.
