Chico State Athletics

Over the years, Chico State volleyball head coach Cody Hein has brought several outstanding outside hitters into the Wildcats' program—Olivia Mediano, Ellie Larronde, Alex Shurtz, and Makenzie Snyder representing just a few recent examples. Three weeks into the 2019 season, Grace Shepherd is showing signs that she could soon join that elite group of point producers. The freshman played a huge role in Chico State's back-to-back sweeps of Stanislaus State and Cal State Monterey Bay to open California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play, and her productive efforts make Shepherd the latest Wildcat of the Week.
 
In just six sets, the King City product piled up 22 kills while also contributing two service aces, six digs, and five blocks to help Chico State improve to 6-4 on the season and move the Wildcats into sole possession of first place in the CCAA North Division with a 2-0 conference record.
 
Shepherd connected for a match-high 13 kills while registering four blocks and an ace Wednesday in the Wildcats' road sweep of Stanislaus State. She followed that up with a nine kill performance Friday as Chico State downed Cal State Monterey Bay in three sets at Acker Gym.
 
Shepherd has racked up 79 kills on the young season, and ranks second among Wildcats' hitters with a 3.04 kills-per-set average.
 
Shepherd and the Wildcats travel to the Bay Area this weekend to take on CCAA rivals Cal State East Bay Friday and San Francisco State on Saturday.