CHICO – Following a road split last weekend, the Chico State volleyball team returns to Acker Gym for two important nights of action, as the Wildcats push for a pair of wins to stay in the hunt for an NCAA postseason berth. The 'Cats expect to have the help of large, supportive crowds rooting them on, especially during Pack the House Night Friday against Cal State L.A., followed by a Saturday matchup against Cal State Dominguez Hills. Both matches get underway at 7 p.m.
Where they stand: Chico State sits at 7-7 on the season and in a tie for fifth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 4-3 conference mark. The Wildcats enjoyed one of their best matches of the year last Friday, sweeping San Francisco State on the road, but fell in three sets the following night to No. 12 Sonoma State.
At Acker Gym: The 'Cats are 1-2 at home so far this season, beating Cal State Stanislaus Sept. 18 before falling to Cal State San Bernardino and UC San Diego Sept. 27-28.
Individual achievements: Several Wildcats are among the conference leaders in various statistical categories:
-- Outside hitter Ellie Larronde is ranked third in the CCAA in kills per set (4.09), fourth in kills (217) and second in solo blocks (16).
-- Alex Shurtz is averaging 3.80 kills per set (which would rank fourth in the conference, but Shurtz hasn't played the minimum number of sets to be listed among the leaders).
-- Torey Thompson leads CCAA setters in assists per set (11.15) and is fifth in assists (524).
-- Molly Ratto ranks second among conference players in service aces (20) and aces per set (0.38).
-- Lindsay Quigley is fifth in the CCAA in hitting percentage (.339).
-- Emily Duran is seventh in the conference in digs per set (4.13) and ninth in digs (219).
Cal State L.A.: The Golden Eagles, which plays Cal State Stanislaus Thursday prior to Friday's match with the Wildcats, share fifth place with Chico State in the CCAA, and are 9-6 overall. Entering the week, Cal State L.A. has won two of its last three tilts, including a sweep last Saturday of Cal State East Bay. The Gators are an impressive 8-3 in road matches this season, and 3-0 in conference play.
Golden Eagles to watch: Sophomore outside hitter Iona Lofrano is second in the CCAA in kills (266) and kills per set (4.29), while junior outside hitter Kymberly Silveyra is tied for fifth in the conference with 200 kills on the season. Junior middle blocker Bethanee Boggs in ranked in the CCAA top 10 in hitting percentage (sixth, .335), blocks (seventh, 50) and service aces (eighth, 17), with freshman middle blocker JamieAnn Bero fifth in blocks and 10th in blocks per set (0.81).
Head-to-head: Cal State L.A. has won 30 of 39 meetings with the Wildcats since 1985, including a sweep of last year's season series.
Cal State Dominguez Hills: Despite an 8-7 record entering the week, the Toros have lost six of their last seven matches and are tied for 11th place in the CCAA with a 1-6 conference mark. Dominguez Hills won its first contest since mid-September last Friday with a four-set victory over Cal State East Bay, but was swept the following night by Cal State Monterey Bay. Like Cal State L.A., the Toros have played well away from their home court, winning seven of 10 on the road so far this season.
Toros to watch: Sophomore outside hitter Alijah Gunsaulus ranks sixth in the CCAA in kills (194) and kills per set (3.54), while sophomore setter Dana Brown is third in the conference in assists (589) and assists per set (10.91). Senior middle blocker Whitney Lee and senior outside hitter Abbey Prusa have combined for 271 kills for Dominguez Hills; Lee also ranks seventh in the CCAA in blocks (46) and blocks per set (0.81).
Head-to-head: The Toros and Wildcats split last year's season series, but Chico State has won 15 of the last 16 meetings between the two teams. Since 1985, the 'Cats hold a 29-8 lead in the all-time series.
In addition to Friday's Pack the House promotion, a special player autograph session will take place following the Cal State L.A. match.
Fans not able to attend either Friday or Saturday night can follow the action online via Live Stats.
CLICK HERE for Live Stats
