Box Score POMONA – In recent years, the Chico State volleyball team has enjoyed quite a bit of success against Cal Poly Pomona, beating the Broncos in each of its last five meetings heading into Thursday's match at Darlene May Gymnasium. The Wildcats were not able to extend that winning streak to six, as they were confronted with a Pomona squad that performed much better than its sub-.500 record would indicate. The Broncos spoiled the opener of the 'Cats' three-day road trip, topping Chico State in four sets 25-21, 25-18, 20-25, 25-17.
With Thursday's loss, Chico State dips to 8-9 on the season and drops to sixth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 5-5 conference record. Cal Poly Pomona won its second straight decision to improve to 6-12 overall and 4-6 in CCAA play.
Alex Shurtz delivered a season-high 19 kills for the Wildcats while adding a pair of solo blocks on the night. Lindsay Quigley had 14 kills, four service aces and three blocks, with Torey Thompson dishing out 42 assists and contributing 15 digs. Emily Duran led the 'Cats with 20 digs, while Lauren Orozco added 15.
Cal Poly Pomona raced out to an early 8-2 lead in the opening set, but three Quigley kills and one each by Shurtz, Ellie Larronde and Ashton Kershner cut the Wildcats' deficit to 13-10. The Broncos responded with four unanswered points and never looked back – a brief 5-1 run late in the set (fueled by kills from Shurtz, Quigley and Kershner) pulled Chico State to within 24-21, but Lauren Jones provided the deciding kill that gave Pomona a 25-21 victory.
The two teams split the first eight points of the second set before Pomona went on a 10-4 run to open up an 14-8 advantage. Following a timeout, Chico State finally started hitting on all cylinders, using four kills by Shurtz, two by Quigley and a Ratto ace to spark an 8-2 run to tie up the contest at 16-all. The Broncos immediately regained the upper hand by scoring five straight points, and though the 'Cats closed the gap to 21-18, Pomona reeled off four consecutive winners to take the set, 25-18.
Thanks to kills from Shurtz, Hannah Wilkins, Kristyn Casalino and two combo blocks by Quigley/Natalie Nordahl, the Wildcats took an early 11-6 lead in the third set. Chico State was still up 17-13 when Pomona went on a 7-2 run to grab a 21-20 lead. The 'Cats, however, were not to be denied – kills by Shurtz and Wilkins, a Shurtz solo block and a Ratto ace keyed a 6-0 run to give Chico State a 25-20 victory and keep the Wildcats alive.
The fourth set was nip and tuck early, with seven tie scores and a pair of lead changes. Three kills by Shurtz staked the 'Cats to a 6-5 lead, but with the score tied at 10-apiece, Pomona went on a 6-1 run to go up 16-11. Chico State cut the deficit to 16-13 thanks to kills by Quigley and Wilkins, only to see the Broncos rip off six straight points to extend their lead to 22-13. The Wildcats could get no closer than six the rest of the way, and Pomona finished things off by scoring three of the last five points to claim the 25-17 win and the match.
Chico State will take Friday off before returning to action Saturday in Arcata against Humboldt State (9-8, 4-6 CCAA). First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.
