CHICO – Despite a .714 winning percentage and occupying a place in the upper reaches of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings, the Chico State volleyball team has fallen short of a top 10 ranking in the first West Region poll of the season, released this week. With seven matches remaining, it’s clear that the Wildcats will need a strong finish to earn an NCAA Championship Tournament berth. The ’Cats have a golden opportunity to instantly vault themselves into the postseason picture this weekend, as a pair of nationally-ranked teams, UC San Diego and Cal State San Bernardino, visit Acker Gym Friday and Saturday night.

Chico State enters the weekend 15-6 on the season and currently sits in fourth place in the CCAA with a 10-5 conference mark. The Wildcats are in the midst of their first rough stretch of the season, having lost three of the last four decisions. Last weekend the ’Cats snapped a two-match losing streak with a three-set victory over Cal Poly Pomona, but lost to San Francisco State in four sets on Saturday. Chico State hopes a little home cooking this weekend will cure its ills, but the Wildcats have not won in Acker Gym since beating Cal State East Bay back on Oct. 1.

Though the wins have been tough to come by of late, Chico State continues to put up impressive numbers. The Wildcats as a team are ranked third in the CCAA in hitting percentage (.232), fifth in kills (13.21 a set), fifth in assists (12.40 per set) and sixth in digs (15.70 a set).

Individually, Jessica Leek continues to strengthen her bid for All-CCAA recognition: the junior opposite hitter is fourth in the conference in service aces (0.36 a set), eighth in points (3.91 per set), ninth in kills (3.29 a set) and 10th in hitting percentage (.310). Makenzie Snyder is 10th among CCAA players in points (3.67 a set), and ranks just outside the top 10 in kills (3.23 per set). Sable Villaescusa is third among conference setters (and 23rd in the nation), averaging 10.85 assists a set, while Lauren Orozco is ninth in the CCAA in digs (3.85 per set).

UC San Diego, Chico State’s Friday night opponent, is ranked 18th in the nation and No. 5 in the West Region thanks to a 15-4 season record. The Tritons are 11-4 in CCAA play and sit in third place in the conference standings, one game ahead of the Wildcats. Following a rare three-match losing streak, UC San Diego has won its last five decisions, including sweeps of Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State L.A. last weekend.

The Tritons rank among the conference leaders in nearly all the significant team statistics. UC San Diego leads the CCAA (and ranks fifth in the nation) in digs (19.13 a set), and is third in kills (13.56 a set), fourth in assists (12.59 per set), fourth in blocks (2.07 a set) and fourth in service aces (1.51 per set). The Tritons are led by senior outside hitter Hillary Williamson, who ranks second in the CCAA in kills (3.96 a set) and third in points (4.50 per set). Senior outside hitter Katie Condon averages 2.73 kills a set, while at the net, freshman middle blocker Lauren Demos is fifth in the CCAA in blocks (0.97 a set). Senior libero Janessa Werhane ranks second in the conference in digs (5.12 per set).

UC San Diego leads the all-time series with Chico State 20-5, but the Wildcats won the first meeting with the Tritons this season with a five-set victory Sept. 24 in La Jolla.

It’s been another impressive season for Cal State San Bernardino, which comes to Acker Gym to battle the Wildcats Saturday. The Coyotes, ranked No. 3 in the nation and No. 1 in the West Region, are a perfect 20-0 on the year and in first place in the CCAA with a 15-0 conference mark entering weekend play. Shooting for its sixth consecutive CCAA title, San Bernardino swept both Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State L.A. last weekend. The Coyotes have been so dominant, they have lost just five sets all season.

Cal State San Bernardino tops the CCAA (and is third in the nation) in hitting percentage (.317) and kills (its 14.28 per set average is ninth among all Division II schools). The Coyotes also lead the conference in assists (13.34 a set), blocks (2.30 a set) and service aces (1.89 per set).

The San Bernardino attack revolves around Samantha Middleborn – the senior middle blocker is on her way to a second straight CCAA Player of the Year award, leading the conference in points (4.94 a set), hitting percentage (.495) and blocks (2.30 per set), while ranking third in service aces (0.39 a set) and fourth in kills (3.74 per set).

The Coyotes have plenty of other weapons as well: Senior outside hitter Priscilla Collings is averaging 2.92 kills a set; junior setter Camille Smith is fourth in the CCAA in assists (10.78 per set); senior outside hitter Morgan Carty ranks second in the conference in service aces (0.40), and senior libero Kelcie Tolan is eighth in the CCAA in digs (3.88 a set).

Cal State San Bernardino beat Chico State in three sets back on Sept. 23, and has won 33 of 35 meetings with the Wildcats all-time. The ’Cats will look to snap a 32-match losing streak against the Coyotes dating back to 1995.

Both matches are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Friday’s contest is Dig For A Cure Night, so fans are encouraged to wear pink to Acker Gym to help the Chico State volleyball team promote breast cancer awareness. Fans not able to attend either Friday or Saturday’s match can follow the action online with Live Stats, available on the Wildcat Athletics website.