Box Score LA JOLLA – The Chico State volleyball team gave No. 12 UC San Diego all it could handle Friday night at RIMAC Arena, but while the visiting Wildcats frequently had the Tritons on their collective heels, the 'Cats just couldn't deliver the knockout punch when needed – especially in the pivotal fourth set – allowing UC San Diego to take the match in four sets 25-19, 18-25, 25-13, 26-24 and sweep the season series.
Friday's loss dropped Chico State to 10-11 on the season and into a tie for sixth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 7-7 conference record. UC San Diego improved to 19-3 overall and maintained a share of second place in the CCAA with an 11-3 conference mark.
Alex Shurtz led the Wildcats Friday with a double-double consisting of 15 kills and 14 digs. Natalie Nordahl contributed a career-high 12 kills to go along with six blocks, while Ellie Larronde registered nine kills and three blocks. Torey Thompson handed out 38 assists and added 18 digs, with Emily Duran pacing the 'Cats with 26 digs on the night.
Chico State and UC San Diego split the first 20 points of the opening set, but the Tritons used an 8-2 run to go up 18-12. The Wildcats fought back, using kills by Larronde and Ashton Kershner plus combo blocks by Lindsay Quigley/Larronde and Quigley/Thompson to cut the deficit to 21-17. UC San Diego promptly put the contest away by scoring four of the final six points, taking the set 25-19.
Three Larronde kills gave the 'Cats an early lead in the second set, only to have UC San Diego storm back to tie things up at six apiece. Chico State responded with a 6-2 run – fueled by three kills and a solo block by Shurtz – to put the Wildcats back on top 12-8. The Tritons scored five unanswered points to regain the lead, but then with the score tied at 16-all, Nordahl led a 9-2 Chico State run by delivering three kills and contributing on a pair of blocks, helping the Wildcats win going away 25-18.
Chico State scored three of the first four points in the third set, but following a 6-1 UC San Diego run, the Tritons would never relinquish the lead. The Wildcats pulled to within 9-8, only to see UC San Diego rip off a 13-1 run to balloon its advantage to 22-9. The Tritons eventually cruised to a 25-13 victory.
A Larronde solo block and kills by Nordahl and Quigley staked the Wildcats to an early lead in the fourth set, but the Tritons once again got the upper hand, going out in front 7-5. Chico State jumped back in front, as kills by Shurtz, Larronde, Nordahl and Kristyn Casalino highlighted a 9-2 run to give the 'Cats a 14-9 lead. Chico State pushed the advantage to 17-11, only to see UC San Diego score nine of the next 11 points to grab a 20-19 lead. The 'Cats, now with their backs to the wall, rallied with kills and a combo block from Casalino and Nordahl to go up 24-22, but Chico State couldn't post the point that would force a fifth and deciding set. The Tritons survived two set points, then used a Sara McCutchan kill and a Wildcat error to pull out the 26-24 win and wrap up the match in four sets.
The Wildcats conclude their southern California road trip Saturday against 13th-ranked and conference-leading Cal State San Bernardino (17-5, 13-1 CCAA). The match is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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