CHICO – The Chico State volleyball team used three straight wins last week to rocket to the top of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings. To stay there, the Wildcats will have to beat two very challenging opponents. In what will be the 2013 season's biggest test to date, the 'Cats host No. 20 Cal State San Bernardino Friday and No. 10 UC San Diego Saturday at Acker Gym. Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m.
Chico State enters the weekend 6-4 on the year and 3-0 in the CCAA, thanks to victories last week over Cal State Stanislaus, Cal State Monterey Bay and Cal State East Bay. The Wildcats and Cal State San Bernardino share first place in the conference, with Cal State L.A. a half-game back in third place with a 2-0 CCAA record.
Several Wildcats rank among the conference leaders in several statistical categories entering the weekend. Outside hitter Ellie Larronde is second in the CCAA in kills per set (4.13) and points per set (4.51), ranking in the top 25 nationally in both categories. Larronde is also second in the conference in solo blocks (11) and fourth in both kills (161) and points (176).
Setter Torey Thompson tops the CCAA in assists per set (11.21) while ranking 11th in the nation. Thompson is fourth in the conference in service aces per set (0.33) and fifth in assists (370).
Lindsay Quigley is fifth among CCAA hitters with a .333 attack percentage on the year. Defensive specialist Molly Ratto is tied for third in the conference in service aces (13) and is seventh in service aces per set (0.33); Emily Duran is eighth in digs (146), and Natalie Nordahl ranks fifth in the CCAA in blocks per set (0.96).
Cal State San Bernardino, shooting for the program's eighth consecutive CCAA title, has used its current four-match winning streak to once again vault into the thick of the conference race. The Coyotes are 7-4 on the year and 3-0 in the CCAA, grabbing a share of first place with a four-set home victory Wednesday over UC San Diego.
San Bernardino is led by sophomore outside hitter Alexandra Torline. A First Team All-CCAA selection last season, Torline ranks fifth in the conference in kills (158) and seventh in kills per set (3.51). Defensively, sophomore middle blocker Brenna McIntosh, a Second Team All-CCAA performer in 2012, is tops in the conference in solo blocks (17), total blocks (53) and is ranked third in blocks per set (1.18).
The Coyotes come to town having beaten the Wildcats 35 straight times dating back to 1995. The 'Cats have never beaten Cal State San Bernardino in Chico.
UC San Diego is 9-2 overall and enters the weekend tied for eighth in the CCAA with a 1-2 conference record. After reeling off nine straight victories and earning a top 10 national ranking to start the season, the Tritons have lost two in a row, bowing in four sets last Saturday to Sonoma State before Wednesday's loss to Cal State San Bernardino. They will try to snap their losing streak Friday against Cal State Stanislaus before traveling to Chico on Saturday.
The UC San Diego offense revolves around three hitters – Danielle Dahle (a First Team All-CCAA selection last year), Sophie Rowe and Sara McCutchan – who have all racked up over 100 kills on the season. Another All-CCAA pick from 2012, setter Amber Hawthorne, leads the conference in service aces per set (0.50) and is ranked 12th in assists per set (6.96).
The Tritons hold a 22-6 lead over the Wildcats in the all-time series, but the two teams have split the last six meetings. The 'Cats have won two of the last three contests played at Acker Gym.
Saturday's match versus UC San Diego is also Golden One Credit Union Rally Towel night. The first 400 fans in attendance will receive a Wildcat rally towel, courtesy of Golden One Credit Union.
If you can't make it to either Friday or Saturday's matches in person, you can follow the action online via Live Stats.
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