CHICO, Calif. – Chico State volleyball fans expecting Lindsay Macias’ 1,000th career kill to be the highlight of the night got more than they expected Saturday at Acker Gymnasium. The Wildcats, too, got more than they expected in a thrilling five-game victory over upset-minded Sonoma State.

Macias, who became the fourth player in Chico State history to record 1,000 career kills, pounded out a match-high 18 kills as the Wildcats came from behind in all three of their wins for a 17-30, 31-29, 27-30, 30-24, 16-14 victory. Chico State, ranked No. 19 in the nation, improved to 13-4 overall and 6-1 in the CCAA. Sonoma State dropped to 5-11 overall and 1-6 in the CCAA.

The Wildcats trailed 22-19 and then 24-23 in the second game before rallying to victory as Macias and Gillian Heydorff combined for seven kills in the last 19 points of the game. Macias’ 1,000th kill came earlier in the game after a Heydorff dig and Erica Brick’s assist. The match was stopped briefly to switch the ball out so Macias could be presented with it following the match.

In the fourth game, already trailing 2-1, the Wildcats faced a 13-7 deficit. But Heydorff notched two kills and a service ace to spark a 9-1 rally as the Wildcats took the lead and never looked back.

But it was in game five that the Wildcats’ backs were truly against the wall. Marianne Fox made it match-point, 14-12, for the Seawolves with her 17th kill of the night. Brick kept the Wildcats alive with a diving dig that Crystal Trifeletti fisted over the net and into the corner for a miraculous point to make it 14-13. Kelly Smiland’s solo block tied the game before Heydorff’s service ace brought the Wildcats to the brink, 16-15. Smiland then put the match away with a kill to complete another comeback.

Heydorff finished with 16 kills and Whitney Johnson added 12 to go along with three blocks. Lacy Stringfellow led the Wildcats with 30 kills despite missing the first game, while Smiland added a career-high 24 and Macias chipped in 15. Brick dished out 50 assists and added five kills.

Kristy Sather joined Fox with a team-high 17 kills for the Seawolves, while Kaylee Aizenstadt pounded out 16. Lindsay Brown dished out 55 assists to go along with her 11 digs. Taylor Manton finished with 31 digs, and Lillian Harms tallied 17.

Chico State will hit the road next weekend for a huge showdown with 2nd-ranked Cal State San Bernardino, which currently tops the CCAA standings. And Saturday, they’ll play at Cal Poly Pomona.