Box Score LOS ANGELES – Just when it appeared the Chico State volleyball team was going to drop both ends of its weekend road trip in southern California, Head Coach Cody Hein's Wildcats dug deep within themselves to pull out one of the most emotionally satisfying wins of the season. Following Friday's disappointing loss to Cal State Dominguez Hills, the 'Cats found themselves down two sets to one Saturday to Cal State L.A., but Chico State responded by staging one of its biggest comebacks of the 2013 campaign, taking the final two sets and coming away with an exciting 22-25, 27-25, 17-25, 25-17, 15-12 over the Golden Eagles.
With Saturday's win, Chico State improved to 14-13 on the season and pulled the Wildcats into a tie with Cal State Monterey Bay for fourth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with an 11-9 conference record. Cal State L.A. dropped its sixth match in the last seven decisions to fall to 15-13 overall and 10-10 in CCAA play.
Alex Shurtz matched her season high of 23 kills to lead the Wildcats while adding 11 digs and four service aces. Lindsay Quigley added 17 kills and two blocks, with Kristyn Casalino adding eight kills and two blocks. Torey Thompson dished out 52 assists and posted a career-best 22 digs for the victorious 'Cats.
Kills by Shurtz, Quigley, Thompson and Ellie Larronde put Chico State in front 7-6 early in the first set. Cal State L.A. wrestled the lead away, but the 'Cats stayed close – a Shurtz kill knotting up the contest at 20-apiece. The Golden Eagles proceeded to step up in crunch time, posting five of the final seven points to come away with the 25-22 victory.
Cal State L.A. jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the second set, but four kills by Shurtz, three by Quigley and a Molly Ratto service ace pulled Chico State to within 12-11. The Golden Eagles responded by scoring eight of the next nine points to extend their advantage to 20-12. The 'Cats came roaring back – Shurtz contributing three kills and a pair of aces to highlight a 12-3 run that put Chico State in front 24-23. Cal State L.A. survived two set points, but with the score tied at 25-all, Quigley and Shannon Boling delivered back-to-back kills to give the Wildcats a huge 27-25 win.
Cal State L.A. grabbed an early 10-7 lead in the third set, but a 4-0 Wildcat run – fueled by a Shurtz ace plus a kill and solo block by Larronde – put Chico State in front 11-10. The two teams traded the lead until the Golden Eagles snapped a 13-all tie with a 12-4 run – including the set's final six points – to win going away 25-17.
An Emily Duran ace, kills by Quigley, Boling, Thompson and Casalino, and a Quigley/Thompson combo block gave the Wildcats a quick 7-5 lead in the fourth set, but Cal State L.A. scored eight of the next 13 points to jump on top 13-12. Chico State answered with an 8-1 run – Larronde notching a kill and solo block and Shurtz a service ace – to put the Wildcats back in front 20-14. The Golden Eagles could get no closer than five the rest of the way, and kills by Shurtz and Quigley cemented the 'Cats' 25-17 victory.
Chico State rolled the momentum into the fifth and deciding set, with a Ratto ace and kills by Boling, Quigley and Shurtz staking the Wildcats to a 5-1 lead. The 'Cats pushed their advantage to 11-5, only to see Cal State L.A. climb back into contest by reeling off four straight points. Chico State refused to fold down the stretch, as Quigley provided two late kills and Shurtz pounded home the winner to give the Wildcats the set 15-12 and the match victory.
The Wildcats return to Acker Gym next weekend for the team's final two home matches of the regular season. Friday the 'Cats host Humboldt State, followed by Cal Poly Pomona on Saturday. Both matches are slated to get underway at 7 p.m.
