CHICO – With only one game separating first from sixth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings, it’s nice to be sitting alone in the catbird seat in a tightly bunched conference race. That’s the satisfying scenario for the first place Chico State volleyball team as the Wildcats kick off a five match road swing this weekend in southern California against two of its closest pursuers. The ’Cats will be in La Jolla Friday to take on UC San Diego, followed by a head-to-head meeting with six-time defending CCAA champion Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday. Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m.

Chico State, ranked No. 18 in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top 25 poll, is 10-1 on the season and a perfect 4-0 in conference play. The Wildcats have won their last four matches – including last weekend’s home victories against Sonoma State and San Francisco State – to vault into sole possession of first place in the CCAA.

The ’Cats’ 10-1 record is the best start for a Chico State volleyball team since Head Coach Cody Hein’s 2009 Wildcat squad went 11-1 to begin the season.

Statistically, Chico State is well represented on both the conference and national levels. The Wildcats rank second in the CCAA (and 23rd in the nation) in kills per set (13.55) and second in the conference (30th nationally) in assists per set (12.43). The ’Cats are third among CCAA teams in hitting percentage (.221) and digs per set (16.36), and fourth in the conference in service aces per set (1.76).

Individually, reigning CCAA Player of the Week Alex Shurtz leads the conference (and is sixth among all Division II players) in kills per set (4.50) and is eighth in the nation in points per set (4.87). Lindsay Quigley tops the CCAA (and is 12th in the nation) in hitting percentage (.410), while Sable Villaescusa leads the conference (and ranks 23rd in the nation) in assists per set (10.54).

UC San Diego, Chico State’s Friday night opponent, is 8-4 on the year and in a four-way tie for third place in the CCAA with a 3-1 conference record. The Tritons, who finished 22-6 last season and reached the NCAA West Region semifinals, have won three in a row, including victories last week over Cal Poly Pomona and Humboldt State.

The Tritons are led by freshman outside hitter Danielle Dahle, who ranks fifth in the CCAA in kills per set (3.52). Sophomore middle hitter Sara McCutchan averages 2.57 kills per set and ranks among the conference leaders in blocks per set (0.98). Sophomore setter Amber Hawthorne leads UC San Diego is assists, averaging 8.79 per set.

The teams split their two matches last season, with Chico State beating the Tritons at RIMAC Arena for the first time since 2006. UC San Diego leads the all-time series, 21-5.

Cal State San Bernardino, which lost eight seniors from the 2011 team that came within a victory of winning the national championship, is 6-6 this season, but five of those losses have come against nationally ranked top 25 teams. The Coyotes have won three in a row since dropping the conference opener back on Sept. 14, and last week swept both of their road matches against Humboldt State and Cal Poly Pomona.

Freshman outside hitter Ashley Solis and senior middle hitter Mercedes Winchester are San Bernardino’s top offensive weapons, combining to average just under six kills a set. Winchester ranks among the conference leaders in blocks (0.98 a set), while senior setter Camille Smith – an All-CCAA First Team selection last year – is having another outstanding season, averaging 9.89 assists per set.

The Coyotes, who swept the season series with Chico State last year, own a 33-match winning streak against the Wildcats dating back to 1995. The ’Cats are looking to record their first volleyball win in San Bernardino since Sept. 10, 1994. In the all-time series, the Coyotes have won 34 of 36 meetings with the Wildcats.

You can follow the action of Friday’s match with UC San Diego online via Live Stats and live video streaming. Live Stats will be available for Saturday’s match against Cal State San Bernardino.

CLICK HERE for Chico State-UC San Diego Live Stats

CLICK HERE for Chico State-UC San Diego live video streaming

CLICK HERE for Chico State-Cal State San Bernardino Live Stats