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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
