CHICO – Halloween always brings with it a generous supply of tricks and treats. The Chico State volleyball team plans to treat its fans to some exciting action this weekend, using every trick in the book to bring down two of the top teams in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The Wildcats hope to put a Halloween scare into Humboldt State Friday and nationally-ranked Cal State San Bernardino Saturday at Acker Gym, with both matches scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
Chico State is looking to reverse its fortunes against two teams with a combined 28-10 record. The Wildcats enter the weekend 9-10 on the season and in a tie for seventh place with San Francisco State in the CCAA standings with a 7-8 conference mark. The 'Cats have dropped five of their last seven matches, but earned a split of last weekend's road matches against Cal State Monterey Bay and Cal State East Bay. The Wildcats disposed of the Otters in four sets Friday, but were tripped up by the Pioneers Saturday, dropping a four-set decision.

 

Chico State has proven a nightmare to visiting opponents this season, winning five of seven at Acker Gym. The Wildcats continue to put up impressive team numbers, ranking in the top five in the CCAA in kills (965), kills per set (13.59), assists (920), assists per set (12.96), digs (1,198), digs per set (16.87), services aces (94) and aces per set (1.32).
 
Individually, Torey Thompson leads the conference with 806 assists and is first among CCAA setters (and 18th in the nation) in assists per set (11.51). Thompson is also third in the CCAA in aces (25) and fourth in aces per set (0.36).
 
Lindsay Quigley tops the conference (and is 17th in the nation) in hitting percentage (.386) and ranks in the top 10 in kills (seventh with 235) and kills per set (seventh, 3.36). Emily Duran ranks third in the CCAA in digs (333) and fourth in digs per set (4.69).
 
Humboldt State, which faces the Wildcats Friday, is 14-5 on the season and tied for second place with San Bernardino in the CCAA standings with an 11-4 conference mark. The Lumberjacks have won 10 of their last 12 matches, including last week's sweep of San Francisco State and a four-set victory over conference-leading Sonoma State.
 
Humboldt State has played nearly as well on the road (7-3) as it has at home (7-2) this season. The Lumberjacks lead the CCAA in kills, assists and service aces, and rank second in kills per set, assists per set and aces per set.
 
The 'Jacks are led by senior outside hitter Ashley Owen, who ranks in the CCAA top 10 in kills (240) and kills per set (3.20). Junior middle blocker and reigning CCAA Player of the Week Nicole Bewley has delivered 165 kills and is one of the top blockers (59 on the season) in the CCAA. Junior libero Kelci Renshaw leads the conference with 29 aces, while junior defensive specialist Haley Biles is second in the conference in digs (371) and No. 1 in digs per set (5.01).
 
Humboldt State took the first meeting with Chico State this season, besting the Wildcats in four sets Sept. 27 in Arcata. The 'Cats still lead the all-time series with the Lumberjacks 35-11.
 
Ranked 18th in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association national poll, Cal State San Bernardino – which comes to Chico following its Friday night match against Cal State Stanislaus – enters the week 14-5 overall and in a second place tie with Humboldt in the CCAA with an 11-4 conference record. The Coyotes are still in the running to capture their ninth straight conference crown and have won six of their last seven contests. Last week San Bernardino saw its five-match winning streak snapped against Sonoma State, but rebounded last Saturday to top San Francisco State in four sets.
 
San Bernardino is 8-3 on the road this season, and is the top blocking team in the CCAA. The Coyotes also rank in the conference's top five in kills, kills per set, hitting percentage, digs, digs per set and assists per set.
 
The Coyotes feature a trio of productive hitters: junior outside Alex Torline leads the CCAA with 318 kills and is second in the conference in kills per set (4.24). Middle blockers Tori May and Brenna McIntosh have combined for nearly 400 kills and 170 blocks on the season, with McIntosh leading the CCAA in blocks per set (1.27). Senior libero Arielle McCullough tops the conference with 375 digs and is second in digs per set (5.00).
 
In the first meeting of the season between the two teams, the Coyotes swept the Wildcats Sept. 25 at Coussoulis Arena. San Bernardino leads the all-time series 39-2 and not only  hasn't lost to Chico State in volleyball since 1995, the Coyotes have yet to be beaten at Acker Gym.
 
Friday's match versus Humboldt State will also feature a Halloween costume contest. Fans are encouraged to come to Acker Gym dressed in their Halloween finery; in between the second and third set, three fans will be chosen from the crowd to go on the court, where a crowd response will determine the winner of a Carl's Jr. $50 gift card.
 
Fans unable to attend in person can follow the action online with Live State through the Wildcat Athletics website.

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