SEASIDE, Calif. - Things started out rough over a week ago when the Chico State women’s volleyball team struggled, without four of its regular starters, against the CCAA’s last-place team Cal State Dominguez Hills. The Wildcats managed to win that match in four games, but weren’t so lucky this weekend.  After dropping a 3-0 match to lower-ranked Sonoma State on Friday, the Wildcats lost in five games to CSU Monterey Bay, also ranked below them in the standings on Saturday.

The Wildcats, ranked No. 22 in the nation and No. 7 in the Pacific region, are now 16-10 overall, 9-7 in CCAA play. After dropping two of their last three matches, the Wildcats will have to await what affect those losses have on their chances for a second-straight Pacific Regional berth. The top eight teams will compete in the regional beginning Nov. 15.

On Saturday, Chico State dropped the first two games by identical scores of 30-27. The ‘Cats hit .400 as a team in game three to easily down the Otters 30-15, and despite hitting just .096 in game four, the ‘Cats were able to win that game as well, 30-24, and force a fifth game.

The final game was tied up eight times, the last time at 12-12, before Monterey Bay reeled off the three final points with a service ace and two kills.

It was the first time in the team’s nine meetings that the Otters have beaten the Wildcats.

The Wildcats had five players record double-digit kills, including double-doubles by Lindsay Macias (19 kills, 23 digs), Gillian Heydorff (15 kills, 15 digs), and Kelly Smiland (10 kills, 18 digs). Middle blockers Crystal Trifeletti and Whitney Johnson had 13 and 10 kills, respectively. Abbey Ranzau led all players with five service aces.

The Wildcats wrap up the regular season with home matches against Cal Poly Pomona and CCAA leader Cal State San Bernardino next weekend.