Box Score HONOLULU, Hawaii – In addition to the array of trinkets and momentos one usually brings back from a trip to Hawaii, the Chico State volleyball team made sure they had at least one victory tucked inside its souvenir bag. The Wildcats made quick work of Chaminade Friday during second night action at the Hawaii Invitational, notching their first win of the season by sweeping the Silverswords 25-20, 26-24, 25-17 at Honolulu's McCabe Gym.
Friday's victory evened Chico State's record at 1-1 on the young season, while Chaminade slipped to 2-2 on the year.
Offensively, Alex Shurtz led the way for the 'Cats with a match-high 15 kills, while Lindsay Quigley and Ellie Larronde chipped in with nine and eight kills, respectively. Shurtz also notched a team-high 10 digs, and setter Haley Uhland piled up 33 assists on the evening. Collectively, Chico State posted an attack percentage of .250 in Friday's win.
Though the opening set was close all the way through, the Wildcats opened by scoring four of the first five points and never trailed. With Chico State up 10-9, three straight winners from Larronde capped a 7-3 run to widen the 'Cats' lead to 17-12. Chaminade pulled to within 20-18, but three late kills by Shurtz powered the Wildcats to the 25-20 victory.
Chico State was forced to play catch-up the entire second set, with the Silverswords leading by as many as six at the midway point. Chaminade still led 23-20 when the 'Cats kicked in the afterburners – two kills by Quigley and one by Shurtz keyed a 4-0 to put the Wildcats in front 24-23, then after the Silverswords survived set point, Shurtz delivered back-to-back kills to give Chico State the come-from-behind 26-24 win.
Chaminade took an early 10-7 lead in the third set, but the Wildcats suddenly took firm control of the contest – a service ace by Molly Ratto and kills by Shurtz, Larronde, Quigley and Uhland highlighted a 13-2 run to put the 'Cats up 20-12. Larronde provided the exclamation point with the set-clinching kill that gave Chico State the 25-17 victory and the match sweep.
The Wildcats wrap up the Hawaii Invitational Saturday, taking on No. 5 BYU-Hawaii (4-0 on the season) at Cannon Activities Center in Laie, Hawaii. The match is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. Pacific time. Wildcat fans can follow the action live online via Live Stats.
CLICK HERE for Live Stats of Saturday's Chico State-BYU-Hawaii match
