Box Score CHICO – As the old saying goes, turnabout is fair play – and when you can exact a little revenge in front of the home fans, the accomplishment is that much sweeter. The Chico State volleyball team, knocked out in three sets by Sonoma State last month in Rohnert Park, was effective in all phases of its Friday home match against the No. 14 Seawolves, resulting in a resounding 25-15, 25-19, 25-23 sweep at Acker Gym.
By notching their second straight victory, the Wildcats evened their season record at 12-12 and took over sole possession of sixth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 9-8 conference mark. Sonoma State's win streak ended at four Friday, as the Sewolves dipped to 20-5 over and 13-4 in CCAA play.
Ellie Larronde led a balanced Chico State scoring attack, posting 11 kills Friday. Lindsay Quigley, Natalie Nordahl and Kristyn Casalino each registered eight kills, with Quigley and Nordahl each adding four blocks. Torey Thompson dished out a match-high 37 assists and contributed a dozen digs, while Emily Duran led the 'Cats with 16 digs on the night.
The Wildcats set the tone from the get-go, using three Quigley kills and a Molly Ratto service ace to jump out to an early 6-1 advantage – a lead they would never relinquish in taking the opening set. Sonoma State clawed back to pull to within 12-10, but Chico State answered with kills by Quigley, Casalino, Nordahl and Alex Shurtz to fuel a 9-3 run to go up 21-13. Late kills by Quigley, Larronde and Thompson sealed the deal for the 'Cats in the 25-15 victory.
Chico State was just as strong to open the second set, racing out to a 9-4 lead thanks to kills by Larronde and Quigley and a solo block by Shurtz. The Sewawolves rallied to catch the 'Cats at 13-all, only to see Chico State post nine of the next 12 points – highlighted by Shurtz, Larronde and Casalino kills and a Quigley service ace – to make the score 22-16. Sonoma was able to stave off two sets points before a Seawolves' error provided the Wildcats the winner in the 25-19 victory.
Sonoma State was the aggressor early in the third set, staking itself to a 9-7 lead. The Seawolves were still up 13-12 when Chico State turned the momentum around, using kills by Larronde and Nordahl and three Sonoma State miscues to jump out in front 18-15. The Seawolves pulled even at 18-apiece, then the two teams proceeded to split the next 10 points. With the score 23-all, the Wildcats ended the match with back-to-back kills by Shurtz and Casalino, giving Chico State the 25-23 victory and the match sweep. It was the first time the 'Cats had swept Sonoma State since blanking the Seawolves in an NCAA Pacific Regional match on Nov. 20, 2008.
The Wildcats return to action Saturday when they host San Francisco State (12-13 overall, 7-10 CCAA) at Acker Gym. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.
