CHICO – The Chico State volleyball team has not enjoyed a whole lot of success on the road this season, dropping eight of 12 decisions away from Acker Gym. The Wildcats would like nothing better than using their final road trip of the year to humble a pair of home teams, and they get their chance this weekend when the 'Cats battle Cal State L.A. Friday and Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday. Both matches get underway at 7 p.m.
Chico State heads down to southern California 11-11 overall and alone in seventh place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 9-9 conference record. The Wildcats took two out of three on its just-concluded homestand – after splitting matches with Humboldt State and Cal State San Bernardino over the weekend, the Wildcats rolled to a four-set win over Cal State Stanislaus Tuesday night at Acker Gym.
The Wildcats' Olivia Mediano in action.Statistically, the Wildcats rank among the top CCAA teams in every significant category, including kills (second overall), assists (second), digs (third), service aces (fourth) and hitting percentage (fifth).
Individually, Lindsay Quigley continues to lead the conference (and ranks 12th in the nation) in hitting percentage (.391) and is fifth in the CCAA with 271 kills. Torey Thompson tops the conference in assists (930) and assists per set (11.48) and is tied for third with 28 service aces. Emily Duran is third in the CCAA in both digs (397) and digs per set (4.84), while Ellie Larronde and Shannon Boling (a combined for 430 kills on the year) rank among the top 25 hitters in the conference.
Cal State L.A., the Wildcats' Friday night opponent, is hoping a torrid finish to the season will earn an NCAA Tournament berth. The Golden Eagles are 14-7 on the year and in fourth place in the CCAA with a 12-6 conference record, but currently sit outside the West Region top 10 rankings. Cal State L.A. has won two straight and four of its last five after dropping four in a row in mid-October. The Golden Eagles split last weekend, losing to Cal State East Bay before beating Cal State Monterey Bay. Wednesday Cal State L.A. was a three-set winner over Cal State Dominguez Hills.
Cal State L.A. has played well at home this season, and enter the weekend 7-2 on its home floor, the Eagles Nest.
The Golden Eagles are led by junior outside hitter Iona Lofrano, who ranks third in the CCAA with 337 kills. Senior hitters Kymberly Silveyra and Loreal Carter have teamed to rack up 450 kills between them, while middle blockers JamieAnn Bero and Mia Alcaraz have had a hand in a combined 142 blocks. Freshman setter Kelsey Molnar ranks third among conference setters, averaging 10.19 assists per set.
In the first meeting of the season, the Golden Eagles came from behind to nip the Wildcats in five sets Oct. 4 at Acker Gym. Cal State L.A. leads the all-time series 32-10.
Cal State Dominguez Hills has had a tough 2014 campaign. The Toros are 2-20 overall and sitting in last place in the CCAA with a 1-17 conference record. Dominguez Hills has lost nine straight entering the weekend and haven't won since Oct. 4, when the Toros notched their lone conference victory over Cal State Stanislaus. Last weekend Dominguez Hills lost two on the road, falling to Cal State Monterey Bay and Cal State East Bay before Wednesday's sweep at the hands of Cal State L.A.
The Toros are hoping to record its first home "W" of the season this weekend. Dominguez Hills is 0-9 this season at its home arena, the Torodome.
Junior outside hitter Alijah Gunsaulus is Dominguez Hills' top offensive threat, with 210 kills on the season, while freshman hitter Claire Autry has contributed 132 kills. Junior setter Dana Brown is sixth in the CCAA in assists (587) and eighth in assists per set (7.62).
Chico State took the first meeting of the season, sweeping Dominguez Hills Oct. 3 at Acker Gym. All-time, The Wildcats have won 31 of 40 meetings between the two teams.
Both weekend matches can be followed online with Live Stats via the Wildcat Athletics website. Live streaming video will also be available for Friday's Chico State-Cal State L.A. contest.
CLICK HERE for Chico State-Cal State L.A. Live StatsCLICK HERE for Chico State-Cal State L.A. streaming videoCLICK HERE for Chico State-Cal State Dominguez Hills Live Stats
