CHICO – When the Chico State volleyball team gets rolling, it’s been doing it in streaks of four – after losing the season opener, the Wildcats ripped off four straight victories. That was followed by a second loss, and another four wins. This weekend the ’Cats once again have the chance to extend their current winning streak to four, as they host Cal State Monterey Bay Friday, with Cal State East Bay visiting Acker Gym on Saturday. Both matches are slated to start at 7 p.m.

Chico State enters the weekend 10-3 on the season and in sole possession of fourth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings with a 5-2 conference mark. The Wildcats, winners of two straight and six of their last seven matches, moved to within a half game of UC San Diego with a three-set sweep of Cal State Stanislaus Wednesday in Turlock. Chico State is a perfect 3-0 at home so far this season.


Cal State Monterey Bay, the Wildcats’ Friday night opponent, enters the weekend in the midst of a major tailspin – after winning their first five matches of the season, the Otters have dropped their last five decisions, including a sweep Tuesday at the hands of Cal State East Bay. Monterey Bay has managed to win just three sets during that stretch, and as a result is 5-5 overall and in a four-way tie for eighth place in the CCAA with a 2-5 conference mark.

Despite its recent struggles, Monterey Bay as a team ranks fourth in the conference in assists (12.37 per set), fourth in blocks (2.04 a set) and fifth in kills (12.91 per set). The Otters are led by one of the CCAA’s top hitters, senior middle blocker Melanie Lashbrook. A Second Team All-CCAA selection last season, Lashbrook comes into the weekend ranked second in the conference in hitting percentage (.360), third in kills (3.97 per set), fourth in points (4.63 a set) and fifth in blocks (1.00 per set). Senior outside hitter Rheann Fall, an All-CCAA First Teamer from a year ago, is sixth in the conference in kills (3.74 per set) and sixth in points (4.20 a set). Senior setter Monique Sena ranks fifth in the CCAA in assists (9.47 per set), while senior middle blocker Tiffany Riggs is sixth in blocks (0.91 a set).

Chico State leads the all-time series with Monterey Bay, 13-2. The Wildcats and Otters split their two meetings last season.

Cal State East Bay, which visits Cal State Stanislaus Friday before squaring off with the ’Cats, begins weekend play 8-3 on the season and occupying fifth place in the CCAA, just a game behind Chico State with a 4-3 conference mark. The Pioneers beat Monterey Bay in three sets Tuesday after splitting a road series against Cal Poly Pomona and San Francisco State last weekend.

Though East Bay is ranked in the middle of the conference pack in most team offensive categories, the Pioneers are second in the CCAA in blocking, averaging an impressive 2.33 a set. East Bay boasts three outstanding hitters – junior Nicole Boyle and sophomore Katie Allen have combined to average over five kills a set this season, while junior middle blocker Kitona Offord is fourth in the CCAA in hitting percentage (.344). Senior Leslie Ray leads the conference in digs (5.53 per set), while freshman middle blocker Samantha Bruno is third in the CCAA in blocks (1.12 a set).

Chico State lost both meetings to Cal State East Bay last season, but lead the all-time series, 23-8.

Fans that can't make Chico State volleyball's two weekend matches can follow the action with Live Stats via the Wildcat Athletics website.