CHICO – It’s been three weeks since the Chico State volleyball team downed UC San Diego in a thrilling, come-from-behind five-set victory. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, there hasn’t been a whole lot to cheer about since that season highlight, having lost their last six decisions. Cal State Dominguez Hills has gone even longer without a “W” – the Toros have lost eight straight since recording their lone victory of the season Sept. 17 against Cal Poly Pomona. One team will walk away with its losing streak a not-so-fond memory when they meet Friday at Acker Gym in the first of a two match Wildcats homestand. Chico State will also take on Cal State L.A. Saturday; both matches are set for 7 p.m.
The Wildcats enter the weekend with an 8-10 record on the season, and sit in 10th place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings with a 3-9 mark. Chico State will attempt to rebound following its four-set loss Wednesday in Turlock to Cal State Stanislaus.
Chico State will look for solid performances from its three top hitters – Jessica Leek, Alex Shurtz and Makenzie Fahnestock have combined to knock down 543 kills on the season; Shurtz is coming off one of her best matches of the season, collecting 18 kills and posting a .429 hitting percentage in Wednesday’s loss to Cal State Stanislaus. Wildcat Head Coach Cody Hein, doling out more playing time to his younger players in recent matches, will also be looking for quality minutes from his freshman and sophomore charges.
Cal State Dominguez Hills, the Wildcats’ Friday night opponent, has endured a rough 2010 season. The Toros are just 1-15 on the year, and are tied for 11th place in the CCAA with a 1-10 conference mark. Dominguez dropped a pair of matches last weekend, falling to Sonoma State on Friday, then losing in four sets to Humboldt State Saturday, giving the Lumberjacks their first win of the season.
Dominguez Hills features a pair of excellent freshman hitters – OH Denise DeVine leads the team with 194 kills, and ranks second in the CCAA in kills per set (3.80), while OH Elaine Hicks has contributed 134 kills to the Toros’ attack. Junior setters Cassidy Mangum and Olivia White have averaged 7.20 and 6.38 assists a set, respectively; junior libero Hilary Hougardy is 10th in the conference in digs, averaging 3.32 per set.
In their first meeting of the season, the Wildcats beat the Toros in three sets Sept. 11. Chico State holds a 25-7 advantage in the all-time series against Dominguez Hills and has won the last 11 meetings dating back to 2005.
Cal State L.A., which comes to Acker Gym Saturday following its Friday match in Turlock against Cal State Stanislaus, is riding a mini-hot streak into this weekend’s action. The Golden Eagles have won three straight matches to boost their season record to 9-6 overall; Cal State L.A. is currently in seventh place in the CCAA, but very much in the mix for an NCAA Championship Tournament berth with a 6-5 conference mark. The Golden Eagles won both of their matches last weekend, sweeping Humboldt State and defeating Sonoma State in four sets.
Junior OH Natalia Gonzalez is Cal State L.A.’s top offensive weapon, ranking eighth among CCAA hitters in kills (averaging 3.09 a set) and eighth in points per set (3.57). Sophomore MB Marquis Mora is second on the team in kills (136) and is third in the conference in blocks (averaging 0.98 a set). Senior OH Zuzana Cizova complements Gonzalez and Mora nicely, contributing 134 kills on the season. Senior setter Armita Tuladhar ranks third in the CCAA in assists (9.75 per set) and fifth in the conference in service aces (0.46 a set).
Cal State L.A. topped Chico State Sept. 10 in the season’s conference openers for both teams; all-time, the Golden Eagles have won 28 of 34 meetings with the Wildcats.
Fans unable to get to Acker Gym this weekend can follow the action of both Chico State matches via Live Stats, available on the Wildcat Athletics website. Friday and Saturday’s contests will also be broadcast live on the Internet on UStream, with former Chico State great Gillian Heydorff providing color commentary.
CLICK HERE to be connected to the Wildcats’ Internet broadcast.
