Box Score CHICO – After two long road trips and five away matches to start the season, it was obvious from the opening serve Tuesday that the Chico State volleyball team was extremely happy to finally be able to play in front of the home fans. Nearly every available Wildcat saw action in a non-conference match versus Simpson University, with the 'Cats sweeping the visiting Red Hawks 25-12, 25-12 and 25-16.
The victory evened Chico State's record at 3-3 on the season. Simpson University, an NAIA team from Redding, fell to 1-13 on the year.
The Wildcat hitters were extremely efficient Tuesday, posting an outstanding .359 attack percentage. Since only a few starters played all three sets, there were no astounding individual numbers, but just about every Wildcat found their way into the official scorebook. Shannon Boling led the 'Cats with eight kills on the evening, with Lindsay Quigley and Kristyn Casalino contributing seven apiece. Ellie Larronde added six kills and a dozen digs; Olivia Mediano had five kills, while Ashton Kershner and Hannah Wilkins chipped in with four apiece. Torey Thompson doled out 28 assists in the first two sets, with McKenna Carroll piling up 17 assists in the match finale. Emily Duran had 16 digs to pace Chico State.
The Wildcats began the night with a convincing opening set victory. A Thompson service ace and kills by Boling and Larronde staked Chico State with an early 7-2 lead, but Simpson quickly pulled to within three at 8-5. The 'Cats responded by reeling off six of the next seven points – Quigley, Kershner and Izzy Sagely connecting for kills – to extend Chico State's advantage to 14-6. With the score 16-9, the Wildcats put the set away with a 7-0 run, powered by a Quigley ace and kills by Quigley, Kershner and Shannon Cotton. Boling and Wilkins tacked on the final two points as the 'Cats bested the Red Hawks 25-12.
The two teams split the first eight points of the second set, but thanks to kills from five different 'Cats, Chico State took firm control by ripping off an 11-1 run to take a commanding 15-5 lead. Simpson could get no closer than six the rest of the way, as the Wildcats scored six unanswered points down the stretch – two coming on late Boling kills – to give Chico State the 25-12 victory.
The third set was more of a tightly played affair, but Chico State would never relinquish the lead. The 'Cats jumped out in front 4-1, and still led by three when kills by Larronde, Casalino and Kershner fueled a 7-3 run to make the score 16-9. The Red Hawks scored the next three points to creep to within four, but the Wildcats slowly pulled away, with a Kershner service ace and kills by Wilkins, Larronde, Casalino and Mediano highlighting a 9-4 run to give Chico State the 25-16 win and the match sweep.
Chico State returns to California Collegiate Athletic Association play this weekend, as the Wildcats host Cal State East Bay Friday and Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday. Both matches get underway at 7 p.m. 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.
