Box Score CHICO – The Chico State volleyball team played its first home match in Shurmer Gym for the first time in 12 years, and unfortunately for the Wildcats, it was like déjà vu all over again. Back on Oct. 7, 2000, Cal State Dominguez Hills beat the ’Cats in five sets in the last regular season match played in Shurmer, and a dozen years later the visiting Toros did it again, downing Chico State 19-25, 18-25, 19-25 in Friday night action.
The Wildcats, playing in Shurmer due to floor damage to Acker Gym, fell to 12-5 on the season and 6-4 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), slipping into a four-way tie for fourth place in the conference standings. With Friday’s win, Cal State Dominguez Hills improved to 8-9 overall and 6-4 in CCAA play.
Alex Shurtz was one of the lone bright spots for Chico State, leading the ’Cats with 12 kills on the evening. Sable Villaescusa tallied 27 assists, making her just the second setter in Chico State history to collect 4,000 career assists. Emily Duran had a team-high 19 digs while Ellie Larronde contributed two solo blocks on defense.
The night started out in fine fashion for the Wildcats, who on the strength of two Shurtz kills roared out to a 5-0 lead in the opening set. Dominguez Hills answered with four straight points, eventually catching the ’Cats at eight-all. The contest was even at 12-apiece when the Toros went on a 9-4 run to open up a 21-16 advantage, and Chico State could get no closer than four points the rest of the way. Dana Brown’s kill finished off the set and gave Dominguez Hills a 25-19 win.
Chico State jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the second set, but again fell victim to a productive Toros run. Dominguez Hills scored 13 of the next 17 points to go up 15-9, but thanks to kills by Shurtz, Larronde, Villaescusa and Lindsay Quigley, the Wildcats pulled even at 16-16. The Toros came up big down the stretch, going on a 9-2 run to end it and take the second set by a final of 25-18.
Now with its back to the wall, Chico State came out strong in the third set, building a 10-5 lead as Hannah Wilkins delivered a trio of kills for the ’Cats. Dominguez Hills answered by scoring six unanswered points to go up 11-10, but the Wildcats, after falling behind by four, battled back to go up 19-18 as Shurtz, Wilkins and Villaescusa collected key kills. It would turn out to be Chico State’s last hurrah, though, as the Toros reeled off seven straight points to win the set going away 25-19 and complete the match sweep.
The Wildcats return to action Saturday, hosting Cal State L.A. at Shurmer Gym. The Golden Eagles (8-9, 6-4 CCAA) come to Chico having won three in a row, including Friday’s five-set victory in Turlock over Cal State Stanislaus. It’s also “Dig For A Cure Night,” as the ’Cats promote breast cancer awareness. Saturday’s action begins at 7 p.m.
If you can’t make the match in person, you can follow the action online via Live Stats through the Wildcat Athletics website.
CLICK HERE for Live Stats
