CHICO, Calif. – The numbers were definitely stacked against Cal State Monterey Bay – entering Friday’s match with Chico State, the Otters had lost nine of their last 10 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) matches, and against the Wildcats had come out on the losing end of 11 of 12 matches all-time. Cal State Monterey Bay gave the ’Cats all they could handle Friday night at Acker Gym, but the Otters’ bid at a huge road upset came up just short, as No. 25 Chico State prevailed in the final two sets to eek out the victory by scores of 25-10, 23-25, 25-27, 25-21 and 15-12. 

The win improved the Wildcats’ season record to 17-5 and 8-4 in the CCAA. Cal State Monterey Bay fell to 7-13 on the year and 2-10 in conference play.

The match looked like it would be a one-sided affair, as Chico State easily won the first set. Up 8-6, the Wildcats went on a 12-1 run to forge a 20-7 advantage and take control of the contest. Kayla Baumgardner delivered three service aces during that stretch, while Gillian Heydorff contributed five kills as the ’Cats rolled to the 25-10 victory.

Things turned around dramatically in the second set, as Cal State Monterey Bay broke out to a quick 4-0 lead and eventually built a big 17-9 cushion. Chico State was still down 20-14 when the Wildcats came roaring back, using three Heydorff kills plus a kill and service ace from Makenzie Snyder to catch the Otters at 23-all. Cal State Monterey Bay, though, scored the next two points on a Lauren Manzo service ace and a kill by Rheann Fall to pull out the 25-23 victory.

In the third set, the Otters led most of the way, resulting in the Wildcats having to play continual catch-up. Chico State finally pulled even, surviving three match points to stay alive and tie the contest at 25 apiece. Cal State Monterey Bay, though, once again rebounded from letting several leads get away, scoring the final two points to grab the 27-25 victory…and suddenly the Otters were in control of the match and had the ’Cats back on their heels.

Chico State bounced back to win the tightly-played fourth set – the Wildcats never led by more than four, and had to fight off a late Cal State Monterey Bay comeback attempt to post the 25-21 victory and square the match at two wins apiece. The second of Snyder’s two service aces provided the set winner.

The Otters netted the first two points in the fifth and deciding set, but the ’Cats ripped off a 7-1 run to go up by four. Cal State Monterey Bay caught Chico State at 11-all, but it would turn out to be the Otters’ last gasp, as the Wildcats scored four of the last five points – the final tally coming on a Snyder kill – to come through with the 15-12 victory to win the match in five hard-fought sets.

Heydorff led the Wildcats with 24 kills and 31 digs, while Snyder racked up 24 and 19, respectively. Jessica Leek also posted an impressive offensive performance with 11 kills, and Sable Villaescusa piled up 58 assists to go along with 13 digs as Chico State won for the fifth time in the last six outings.

BOX SCORE

The Wildcats are back in action Saturday, as they host San Francisco State. The match is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Acker Gym.