As a true freshman last season, Chico State women's basketball player Natalie Valenzuela displayed flashes of brilliance that had Wildcat fans looking forward to what she could achieve over her next three years. They didn't have to wait long. Now a seasoned sophomore, the Saugus native was the brightest of several Chico State stars during the Western Oregon D2 Shootout, posting personal bests in scoring and rebounding while helping the 'Cats win back-to-back games and improve to 4-0 on the season. Her considerable contributions make Valenzuela the latest Wildcat of the Week.
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Valenzuela racked up 22 points (shooting 8-of-11 from the field) and 17 rebounds in the two Wildcats wins. She also chipped in with three assists, two blocks and two steals as Chico State maintained its unblemished record in the 2015-16 campaign.
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In the D2 Shootout opener versus host school Western Oregon, Valenzuela poured in a career-high 16 points and led all players with eight rebounds as the Wildcats topped the Wolves 65-54. She followed up the next day with six points and a personal best nine boards in the 'Cats' 76-59 victory over Saint Martin's.
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Valenzuela and the Wildcats begin California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play this weekend, traveling to the Bay Area to face San Francisco State on Friday and Cal State East Bay Saturday.
