CHICO – For the final time in the 2013 season, the Chico State volleyball team takes to the road…and on this occasion, the Wildcats are traveling with a full head of steam. In the midst of a three-match winning streak, the 'Cats will be in southern California this weekend to take on California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) foes Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday and Cal State L.A. on Saturday. Both contests get underway at 7 p.m.
Where they stand: The suddenly-hot Wildcats sport a 13-12 overall record and sit in fifth place in the CCAA with a 10-8 conference mark. Chico State did not lose a single set in piling up three victories last week, downing Cal State Stanislaus Nov. 6, No. 14 Sonoma State last Friday and San Francisco State on Saturday. The 'Cats have split their 12 road tilts so far this season.
Individual achievements: Several Chico State players continue to rank among the conference leaders in various statistical categories:
- Ellie Larronde is second in the CCAA in solo blocks (25) and ranks seventh in the conference in kills (327), kills per set (3.52), points (364.5) and points per set (3.92).
- Alex Shurtz is second among conference hitters (and 13th in the nation) in points per set (3.56), third in kills per set (4.04, 15th-best nationally) and is third in the CCAA in solo blocks (23).
- Lindsay Quigley ranks third in the CCAA (and 20th in the nation) in hitting percentage (.357) and is tied for 10th in the conference in points (350.0).
- Torey Thompson leads the CCAA (and ranked 12th nationally) in assists per set (11.38) and is second in the conference in assists (1,013).
- Molly Ratto is tied for second in the CCAA in service aces (37) and third in aces per set (0.39). Ratto tops the CCAA with 30 aces in conference play.
- Emily Duran is fifth in the CCAA in digs (425) and sixth in digs per set (4.47).
- Natalie Nordahl ranks eighth in the conference in blocks per set (0.86).
Cal State Dominguez Hills: The Wildcats' Friday night opponent is 9-17 on the season and resides in last place in the CCAA with a 2-16 conference record. The Toros head into the contest with some momentum of their own, thanks to a five-set win Wednesday over Cal State L.A., snapping an 11-match losing streak. At the Torodome, Dominguez Hills is just 1-8 on the season.
The Toros are led by sophomore outside hitter Alijah Gunsaulus, who has pounded out a team-high 276 kills and ranks ninth in the CCAA in kills per set (3.41). Senior middle blocker Whitney Lee has contributed 244 kills and tops the Toros in both service aces (23) and blocks (79). Sophomore setter Dana Brown is seventh in the CCAA in assists (893) and assists per set.
Head-to-head: Chico State swept Dominguez Hills in the season's first meeting Oct. 12 at Acker Gym. The Wildcats hold a 31-8 lead in the all-time series with the Toros.
Cal State L.A.: The Golden Eagles are 14-12 overall and in sixth place in the CCAA with a 9-9 conference mark. Cal State L.A. has fallen on hard times in November, losing all five of its matches this month and tumbling out of the West Region Top 10 rankings. Last weekend the Golden Eagles were beaten on the road by both Cal State East Bay and San Francisco State before dropping Wednesday's five-set decision to Cal State Dominguez Hills. Cal State L.A. has struggled at home so far this season, winning just three of eight matches at the Eagles' Nest.
The Golden Eagles feature two of the top outside hitters in the CCAA. Sophomore Iona Lofrano is second in the conference in kills (443) and kills per set (4.06), while junior Kymberly Silveyra's 354 kills ranks sixth in the CCAA. Sophomore Alex Bura is fourth among conference setters in assists (938) and assists per set (9.67), while freshman middle blocker JamieAnn Bero is fourth in the CCAA with 89 blocks on the season.
Head-to-head: Despite a combined 35 kills by Ellie Larronde and Lindsay Quigley, Cal State L.A. topped the Wildcats in five sets Oct. 11 at Acker Gym in the season's first meeting. The Golden Eagles have won 31 of 40 contests all-time versus Chico State.
Fans can follow the action this weekend on the Internet via Live Stats.
CLICK HERE for Friday's Chico State-Cal State Dominguez Hills Live Stats
CLICK HERE for Saturday's Chico State-Cal State L.A. Live Stats
