Emily Duran has toiled on the back line as a defensive specialist and libero for the Chico State volleyball team since 2011, and while she hasn’t generated near the headlines as the team’s front-line hitters, her uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time to keep the ball in play has been so effective, she’s etched her name numerous times in the Wildcat record book. In the final weekend of Duran’s ’Cats career, the pride of Corona exceeded even her high standards, averaging an eye-popping 6.25 digs per set to earn Wildcat of the Week recognition.
Head Coach Cody Hein referred to Duran as “the heart and soul of our overall play this season”, and last weekend’s numbers certainly justify that statement. Duran racked up 50 digs in just eight sets while adding six assists to help the Wildcats split a pair of home matches, culminating with a thrilling five-set victory Saturday over San Francisco State.
Friday Duran notched 25 digs (an 8.3 digs per set average), though it wasn’t enough to keep the ’Cats from bowing to eventual CCAA champion Sonoma State. After Duran took her deserved bows Saturday on Senior Night, she collected another 25 digs and dished out four assists in the season-ending win over the Gators.
Duran ends her Chico State career ranked third all-time in digs (1,349) and digs per set (4.00). Her 475 assists in 2014 are the fifth-most in the program’s history, and her season average of 4.90 digs per set is second all-time.
