CHICO – A busy week for the Chico State volleyball team gets underway Tuesday, with three matches scheduled over a five-day period. The Wildcats can feel good, though, knowing they'll all be played in the friendly confines of Acker Gym, where the program has enjoyed considerable success over the years. Non-conference foe Simpson University will serve as the Wildcats' opponent Tuesday in Chico State's first home tilt of the 2014 season. The match is set for 7 p.m.
The 'Cats enter the week 2-3 overall after splitting a weekend road trip in southern California that opened California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) conference play. Chico State came from behind last Friday to beat Cal Poly Pomona, but dropped a four-set decision Saturday to UC San Diego. The Wildcats' 1-1 conference record is good for a share of fourth place in the CCAA standings.
Chico State will attempt to continue its winning ways at Acker Gym this week. Dating back to 2006, the Wildcats have won 60 of the last 90 matches played on their home floor.
Simpson University comes to Chico with a 1-12 record on the year. The Red Hawks, a member of the NAIA's California Pacific Conference, dropped their first 10 matches of the season before posting a four-set victory Saturday over Oregon Institute of Technology. Head Coach Thomas Kirst, in his second season at the helm, is looking to improve on Simpson's 8-16 record of a year ago.
Tuesday's matchup marks the first time since 2011 that Chico State and Simpson University have met on the volleyball court. The Wildcats have won all five of the previous meetings with the Red Hawks.
Fans can follow the action online via Live Stats through the Wildcat Athletics website.
CLICK HERE for Live Stats Following the Simpson match, Chico State returns to CCAA action this weekend, taking on Cal State East Bay Friday and Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday in a pair of 7 p.m. contests. Friday's tilt versus East Bay is Jack in the Box Pack the House Night, where throughout the evening fans will have several chances to win a $10 Jack in the Box gift card.
