CHICO – The Chico State volleyball team, following a listless second set and down 21-14 to Cal State Dominguez Hills in the third set, was perilously close to dropping its seventh match in a row Friday night at Acker Gym. But a 9-1 run provided a much-needed spark that led to the Wildcats taking the third set, and ultimately downing the visiting Toros in four sets (25-20, 21-25, 26-24, 25-13) to snap the ’Cats three week losing streak and put Chico State back in the win column for the first time since Sept. 24.
Friday’s win gives the Wildcats a 9-10 season record and 4-9 mark in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal State Dominguez lost for the ninth consecutive time to fall to 1-16 on the year and 1-11 in conference play.
The Wildcats were led by freshman Alex Shurtz, who collected 17 kills on the night and contributed a pair of solo blocks. Two other ’Cats, Jessica Leek and Makenzie Fahnestock, had 13 kills apiece; Leek adding 11 digs and four solo blocks. Sable Villaescusa also registered a double-double with 46 assists and 14 a team-high digs. Elaine Hicks paced the Toros with 18 kills in the losing effort, with Olivia White piling up 49 assists for Dominguez Hills and Celeste Tuioti chipping in with a match-high 20 digs.
Chico State played it fairly even for most of the opening set, but the Wildcats broke up a 16-all tie with a 9-4 run fueled by kills by Leek, Shurtz, Villaescusa and Fahnestock to come away with the 25-20 victory.
Cal State Dominguez Hills answered back in the second set – with the score eight apiece, the Toros won seven of the next nine points to go up 15-10. Chico State got as close as two, with kills by Leek and Fahnestock and a Molly Ratto service ace pulling the Wildcats to within 18-16, but Dominguez Hills stretched its advantage back to four and never led by less than three the rest of the way. Hicks provided the set-winning kill to give the Toros the 25-21 victory and even the match.
Dominguez Hills picked up where it left off in set number three, breaking up a six-all tie with a 15-8 run to take a 21-14 lead. The Toros looked like they would go up two sets to one, but Chico State came alive with a furious rally – Shurtz delivering six kills to power a 10-2 run and put the ’Cats on top 24-23. Dominguez Hills was able to stave off set point, but a Toros service error and a Fahnestock kill was the difference as Chico State prevailed, 26-24.
The Wildcats’ come-from-behind victory appeared to take some of the steam out of the Toros, as Chico State rolled out to a 10-3 lead in the fourth set – Jessica Simms provided three service aces while Leek and Fahnestock provided kills to give the ’Cats a comfortable advantage. Dominguez Hills made one last charge, closing the gap at 14-9, but the Wildcats responded by scoring 10 of the next 13 points to extend their lead to 24-12 – three Fahnestock kills, two by Leek and single kills by Villaescusa and Crystal Trifeletti placed the ’Cats within a single point of the elusive match win. A Toros service error provided Chico State with the set winner and the 25-13 victory.
BOX SCORE
Chico State is back in action Saturday at 7 p.m., hosting Cal State L.A. at Acker Gym. Fans unable to attend the match in person can follow the action via Live Stats, available on the Wildcat Athletics website. Saturday’s contest will also be broadcast live on the Internet on UStream, with former Chico State great Gillian Heydorff providing color commentary.
