CHICO – At this point in the season, the Chico State women's volleyball team isn't worrying so much about an NCAA Tournament berth as it is finishing strong and letting the chips fall where they may. The Wildcats are taking more of a week-by-week approach, focusing on the now and hoping the outcome will result in play beyond the regular season. The 'Cats are primed to produce on the road this weekend, with matches against Cal State Monterey Bay Friday and Cal State East Bay Saturday. Both contests get underway at 7 p.m.
Chico State enters play 8-9 on the season and in eighth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 6-7 conference record. The Wildcats began October with back-to-back wins, but since have dropped four of their last five decisions. Last weekend the 'Cats split two home matches, bouncing UC San Diego in four sets Friday before losing a disappointing five-setter Saturday against Cal Poly Pomona.
The Wildcats are looking to find some consistency on the road this weekend, something that has eluded the team through the first half of the season. Chico State enters the weekend having won only three of 10 matches away from Acker Gym.
As a team, Chico State currently ranks second in the CCAA in digs per set (16.89), third in assists per set (12.79), fourth in service aces per set (1.33), tied for fourth in aces (84) and fifth in kills per set (13.41).
A handful Wildcats continue to rank among the CCAA's top 10 players in several statistical categories:
-- Lindsay Quigley leads the conference (and is ninth in the nation) in hitting percentage (.396) and is sixth in the CCAA in points per set (3.75), seventh in kills per set (3.32) and eighth in kills (206).
-- Torey Thompson leads the CCAA (and is 18th among Division II setters nationwide) in assists per set (11.44). Thompson is also second in the conference in assists (709), tied for fourth in service aces (22) and fifth in service aces per set (0.35).
-- Emily Duran is fourth in digs per set (4.65) and tied for fourth in digs (293).
-- Shannon Boling ranks eighth in the CCAA in kills per set (3.25).
-- Kristyn Casalino is 10th in the conference in hitting percentage (.299)
Cal State Monterey Bay, the Wildcats' Friday night opponent, is 5-12 on the season and sitting in ninth place in the CCAA with a 5-8 conference record. The Otters have played better of late since starting the year 1-8; last weekend Monterey Bay split a pair of road matches, losing to Cal State San Bernardino but rebounding two days later to beat host Humboldt State in five sets.
The Otters have played only five matches on their home floor so far this season, and are 2-3 at The Kelp Bed entering the weekend.
Monterey Bay's bread and butter is its defensive play at the net. The Otters rank fifth in the CCAA in both blocks (170) and blocks per set (2.11).
Monterey Bay's offense is led by outside hitters Jessica Malcolm and Julia Ashen, who have combined for 357 kills on the season. Sophomore middle blocker Janai Johnson is the Otter's primary shot stuffer, ranking second in the CCAA in blocks per set (1.15) and eighth in the conference in total blocks (53).
In the first meeting of the season between the two teams, Chico State beat Monterey Bay in four sets Sept. 20 in Acker Gym. The Wildcats have won seven of the last eight matches against the Otters and lead the all-time series 19-3.
Cal State East Bay is 5-13 overall and tied with Cal State Stanislaus for 10th place in the CCAA with a 2-11 conference mark. The Pioneers have lost eight straight and 10 of the last 11 prior to Friday's match against Stanislaus, and have won just one set since beating Cal State Dominguez Hills way back on Sept. 26. Last weekend East Bay dropped road tilts against both Humboldt State and Cal State San Bernardino.
Despite its season record, East Bay has proved to be a formidable foe on its home floor, sporting a 4-5 record at Pioneer Gymnasium.
The Pioneers possess one of the top hitters in the conference in senior Amber Hall, who ranks fifth in the CCAA in kills per set (3.37) and seventh in kills (209). Senior middle blocker Samantha Bruno has contributed 172 kills to the East Bay attack, while senior setter Ashia Joseph ranks in the CCAA top 10 in assists (sixth, 473), assists per set (eighth, 8.02), service aces per set (ninth, 0.32) and aces (10th, 19).
Chico State was the victor in the first meeting of the year with East Bay, sweeping the Pioneers Sept. 19 at Acker Gym. The Wildcats have won the last five head-to-head matchups and lead the all-time series 29-9.
Fans can follow the action of both weekend matches online with Live Stats and live streaming video through the Wildcat Athletics website.
CLICK HERE for Chico State-Cal State Monterey Bay Live StatsCLICK HERE for Chico State-Cal State Monterey Bay streaming videoCLICK HERE for Chico State-Cal State East Bay Live StatsCLICK HERE for Chico State-Cal State East Bay streaming video
