SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Fresh off Friday’s impressive road win against Cal Poly Pomona, the 25th ranked Chico State volleyball team had upset in mind as it travelled to San Bernardino to take on the No. 3 Coyotes. But despite an exciting first set win, the Wildcats fell short of upending powerful Cal State San Bernardino, bowing in four sets by scores of 18-25, 25-19, 25-9 and 25-23 Saturday at Coussoulis Arena.

The loss snapped Chico State’s win streak at four and dropped the Wildcats to 19-6 on the season and 10-5 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal State San Bernardino improved to 22-1 with Saturday’s victory and 15-1 in conference play.

Chico State came out firing in the match’s first set – Makenzie Snyder delivered a pair of kills and a service ace to put the Wildcats up early, 6-3. Cal State San Bernardino tried to take control of the contest, but every time the Coyotes scored a point, Chico State answered – two kills apiece by Gillian Heydorff, Jacqueline Johnson and Jessica Leek extended the Wildcats advantage to 13-7. Cal State San Bernardino got as close as 15-12, but the ’Cats proceeded to reel off eight of the next 12 points to go up 23-16. Sable Villaescusa provided the set-ending kill to give Chico State the 25-18 victory.

The Wildcats continued their aggressive play in the second set, as two Jessica Simms service aces and kills by Snyder, Heydorff, Leek and Kayla Baumgardner put Chico State in front 7-6. Cal State San Bernardino finally began to execute, going on a 10-4 run to take a 16-11 lead. The ’Cats pulled to within 16-13, but the Coyotes scored the next four points to go up by seven and were never threatened, eventually downing Chico State 25-19 to even the match at a set apiece.

Cal State San Bernardino never trailed en route to an easy third set win. Already up 8-5, the Coyotes went on an 11-2 run to take a comfortable 19-7 lead and cruised to the lopsided 25-9 victory.

Chico State had to play catch-up throughout the fourth and deciding set, but the Wildcats made it interesting all the way to the end. Cal State San Bernardino raced out to an 11-4 lead, but the ’Cats battled back – two kills each by Snyder and Heydorff fueled an 11-6 run to bring Chico State to within two. Both teams went back and forth scoring points, with the Wildcats getting as close as 23-22. The Coyotes scored the next point to put Chico State against the wall, and though the Wildcats were able to stave off one match point, a Samantha Middleborn kill equaled set and match for Cal State San Bernardino by a final of 25-23.

Chico State spread the offense around in the losing effort – Snyder led the way with 12 kills to go along with 15 digs and two service aces, while Heydorff contributed eight kills, 15 digs and a pair of service aces. Johnson posted eight kills while Baumgardner chipped in with seven; Villaescusa finished the night with 40 assists and 11 digs.

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