Box Score SAN FRANCISCO – Chico State volleyball Head Coach Cody Hein and assistants Carson Lowden and Tommy Gott are no doubt enjoying the first half of their Bay Area weekend stay. That's because the Wildcats put it all together Friday night against a talented San Francisco State squad, holding the Gators to a meager .093 hitting percentage, while the 'Cats' hitters delivered at a season-best .296 clip. It all translated to Chico State's second match sweep of the season, as the Wildcats defeated the Gators 25-16, 25-15, 25-18 at The Swamp in San Francisco.
With the win, Chico State improved to 7-6 on the season and 4-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). San Francisco State dropped to 7-6 overall and 2-3 in conference play.
Ellie Larronde turned in an outstanding performance for the Wildcats, posting a healthy .394 hitting percentage on the way to a match-high 14 kills. Alex Shurtz added 11 kills for the 'Cats, while Lindsay Quigley contributed eight kills and three blocks. Torey Thompson dished out 35 assists, with Molly Ratto, Lauren Orozco and Emily Duran combining for 33 digs on the evening. Ratto also notched three service aces for the victorious Wildcats.
San Francisco State jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the opening set, but Chico State responded with three Ashton Kershner kills and a Quigley service ace to score six unanswered points and tie up the contest. The Gators went back up 11-8, only to see the Wildcats put together an 11-2 run – fueled by kills from Quigley, Shurtz, Larronde and Natalie Nordahl – to take a 19-13 lead. San Francisco State was unable to recover, and the 'Cats rolled to a 25-16 victory.
The two teams traded points back and forth early in the second set, with the Wildcats slowly building a 12-8 lead thanks to kills by Quigley, Shurtz and Larronde, and a combo block by Quigley and Nordahl. Following a San Francisco State point, Chico State went on an 8-0 run – highlighted by two Ratto service aces and a solo block by Quigley – to go up 20-9. Three late Larronde kills and a set-winner by Shurtz sealed the deal, as the 'Cats breezed to the 25-15 victory.
Chico State continued to pound out winners early in the third set. Larronde led the way with five kills as the Wildcats went out in front 9-6. San Francisco State, though, finally caught fire, scoring four straight points to take the lead. The Wildcats put out the fire in short order – on the strength of three Shurtz kills, a Larronde service ace and a solo block by Kershner, Chico State fashioned a 7-0 run to go back up 16-10. The Gators could get no closer than four points the rest of the way – late kills by Larronde and Quigley put the finishing touches on the 25-18 win and the match sweep.
The Wildcats continue their Bay Area road trip Saturday, taking on No. 13 Sonoma State (11-2, 4-1 CCAA and in the midst of a four-match winning streak) at the Wolves' Den in Rohnert Park. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
You can follow the action on the Internet via both Live Stats and online streaming video.
CLICK HERE for Live Stats
CLICK HERE for online streaming video
