Box Score HONOLULU, Hawaii – The Chico State volleyball team got a day to enjoy the sights and sounds of Hawaii, but Thursday night's season-opening non-conference match against Hawaii Pacific tempered the excitement of the tropical road trip somewhat. The host Sea Warriors handed the Wildcats a four-set loss (22-25, 25-15, 23-25, 18-25) in first day action of the Hawaii Invitational, played at St. Andrew's Priory in Honolulu.
The Wildcats' offense was led by All-American Alex Shurtz, who began her senior season with 18 kills and a pair of service aces. Lindsay Quigley also put up big numbers, contributing 14 kills in the losing effort. True freshman setter Torey Thompson made her Chico State debut and doled out a match-high 42 assists, while Emily Duran and Lauren Orozco combined for 21 digs on the evening. As a team, the Wildcats posted a disappointing .124 attack percentage, but collected two solo blocks and 12 blocks assists.
Five early errors for the 'Cats in the opening set allowed Hawaii Pacific to jump out to a 7-2 advantage, and it was a lead the Sea Warriors would not relinquish. Chico State cut the deficit to one on two occasions, with a late Quigley kill pulling the Wildcats to within 21-20. Hawaii Pacific responded by scoring four of the final six points to take the first set 25-22.
The 'Cats came back strong in the second set, leading wire-to-wire to post a match-tying victory. Kills by Shurtz, Kristyn Casalino and Shannon Boling, combined with a Shurtz service ace, helped Chico State build a quick 10-4 lead, and after Hawaii Pacific used a four point run to pull to within two, the Wildcats fashioned a 15-7 run powered by kills from Shurtz, Boling and Quigley to roll to the 25-15 win.
The pivotal third set saw Hawaii Pacific maintain a slim lead before Chico State surged ahead late 22-20. The Sea Warriors defense stiffened, holding the 'Cats to just a single point in crunch time, and a late 5-1 run gave Hawaii Pacific a 25-23 victory.
The two teams split the first 20 points of the fourth set, but the Sea Warriors took charge with a 10-4 run to build a 20-14 lead. Chico State scored four of the next five points – two coming on Shurtz kills – to pull to within 21-18, only to see Hawaii Pacific reel off four unanswered points to win the set going away 25-18 and take the season-opening match and improve to 2-0 on the season.
Chico State is back in action Friday, taking on Chaminade University (2-1 on the young season) at 7:00 p.m. Pacific time at Honolulu's McCabe Gym. Live Stats and live audio streaming is available online.
CLICK HERE for Chico State-Chaminade Live Stats
CLICK HERE for Chico State-Chaminade live audio streaming
The Wildcats wrap up the Hawaii Invitational with a match against No. 5 BYU-Hawaii scheduled for 7:30 Saturday night.
