REDDING – Chico State got a busy week of volleyball off to a positive start Wednesday – in the first of three matches over the next four days, the Wildcats posted a three set road victory over Simpson University in the final non-conference match of the regular season. The ’Cats won the first two sets of the match rather handily at Simpson’s Heritage Student Life Center, winning by scores of 25-18 and 25-15, then came from behind in the finale, staving off match point to record a 26-24 victory.
With Wednesday’s win, Chico State improved to 6-2 on the season, while Simpson fell to 0-12 on the year.
Alex Shurtz had nine kills to lead the Wildcats; Jessica Leek post seven non-returnables, while Makenzie Fahnestock, Crystal Trifeletti and Sable Villaescusa collected three kills apiece. Villaescusa also contributed 13 assists, one service ace and one solo block. Jessica Simms added a team-high 11 digs for the victorious Wildcats.
The opening set of the match was played pretty evenly early on, until Chico State broke a four-all tie with six unanswered points to take control of the contest. Simpson battled the ’Cats throughout the match, but the Red Hawks could not get any closer than six points the rest of the way, eventually falling by a final score of 25-18.
Chico State led from start to finish in the second set, jumping out to a 4-0 lead; then with the score 16-10, the Wildcats scored nine of the final 14 points to lock down the 25-15 victory.
Wildcat Head Coach Cody Hein gave several of his reserves some playing time in the evening’s final set, with newcomers Kristan Music and Juliet Conant in particular logging impressive minutes. Conant, the 6’3” freshman from Nicolaus, contributed four solo blocks, while Music, a junior transfer from Yuba College, spelled Villaescusa at the setter slot and contributed 12 assists and a pair of kills.
The Wildcats had to work for the win, though, as Simpson led most of the third match…but with the Red Hawks leading 14-10, Chico State went on a 7-1 run to pull ahead 17-15. Simpson battled back, scoring nine of the next 14 points to take a 24-22 lead, but despite match point, couldn’t put the ’Cats away. Chico State succeeded in scoring the final four points to pull out the 26-24 victory and finish off the match sweep.
BOX SCORE
The Wildcats return to California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play this weekend, as they welcome Humboldt State to Acker Gym Friday night, followed by a home match Saturday against Sonoma State. Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m.
