CHICO – It’s always an exciting time when the Chico State volleyball season gets underway. For Wildcats Jessica Simms, Jessica Leek and Sable Villaescusa, the 2012 campaign carries a bit more intensity, as the three seniors hope this will be the year they make their first NCAA Championship Tournament appearance. The hungry trio leads the ’Cats into regular season action Friday and Saturday in Arcata as part of the lid-lifting Humboldt State Volleyball Tournament.
Chico State will play two matches Friday, taking on Dominican University at 3 p.m. followed by a 5 p.m. tilt against Holy Names University of Oakland. Saturday the Wildcats play a single match at 5 p.m. versus Cap Baptist University. Fans can follow all three tournament matches via Live Stats, as well as live internet video streaming.
CLICK HERE for Live Stats
CLICK HERE for live video streaming
CLICK HERE for the Humboldt State Volleyball Tournament page
The Wildcats will attempt to get the 2012 season off to a positive start following last year’s 19-9 overall record and a fourth place finish in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). In addition to defensive specialist Simms, opposite hitter Leek (a 2011 All-America Honorable Mention) and setter Villaescusa (second on Chico State’s career assists list), the ’Cats bring back letterwinning hitters Ellie Larronde and Alex Shurtz, middles Lindsay Quigley and Kelsie Hanson, libero Lauren Orozco and defensive specialists Molly Ratto and Emily Duran. Head Coach Cody Hein, beginning his 10th season at Chico State, has bolstered the Wildcats’ roster with several new additions: setter Haley Uhland, hitters Hannah Wilkins and Shannon Boling, and middles Melissa Berndt and Katie Morley.
Dominican University, a member of the Pacific West Conference, posted a 1-25 record last season. Holy Names, beginning its first season in the Pacific West Conference, went undefeated in the NAIA’s California Pacific Conference last year and finished 2011 with a 16-10 record. California Baptist, another member of the Pac West, has been picked to finish third in the conference’s preseason coaches’ poll. The Lancers posted a 26-10 record in 2011, finished third in the Pac West and went on to win the National Christian College Athletic Association championship.
