When a fan is introduced to the Chico State volleyball program, they quickly discover it isn't going to be a mundane bump, set, spike system. There is going to be hustle, shouting, and breathtaking moments that explode into cheer. They dig hits targeted at their faces, crash into Head Coach Cody Hein to recover passes, and chip balls up after they have been blocked to try for another attack. The Wildcats are the worst type of team to play, but the best to be a part of.
This year's squad is united, resilient, and relentless. The Wildcats are 16-8 overall and 8-6 in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Three of those losses were tight five-set matches without the offensive contributions of junior opposite Natalie Nordahl and true freshman middle Kim Wright, both injured during the Western Oregon tournament early this season.
The Wildcats will host Cal State San Marcos at 7 p.m Friday in Acker Gym. Fans can follow the action online with Live Stats and live streaming video via the Wildcat Athletics website.
Friday will mark the second time the Wildcats and Cougars have faced each other this season. Chico State swept its first-ever meeting with San Marcos on Oct. 17.
Hein is pleased with the amount of investment every player on this year's team has in the program built around hard work, defense, and a fast paced offense. This means every practice features constant movement and every minute is programmed with activity. He acknowledges it isn't the easiest route to take or the most fun, but the 'Cats are committed.
It is hard to argue with the results. So far, Chico State has shown they are in better shape and can outwork the other teams. In three-set matches, the 'Cats are 9-4, often winning by a comfortable margin. Their other seven victories came from matches that were tight to the end, with the outcome of each set decided by very few points. Only four teams have handed the 'Cats straight set losses.
The team's goal this year is to make it to the NCAA Championship West Region Tournament. It's a goal All-America setter Torey Thompson places above her personal success.
Thompson is in her junior year with Chico State and has played every season at starting setter. She leads the CCAA in assists with 910 and is third in assists per set (10.58). Thompson is the center of the Wildcat offense, and is focused on the team making it to the tournament.
"The energy is the main thing that helps us on the court, like talking to each other and knowing we are really close off the court," Thompson said. "Having that chemistry carry over onto the court is huge. Everything is flowing a lot better than I've ever had in volleyball."
The 'Cats have been very close in the past few years to making the tournament, and the team's next victory will be the most in a season since the 2012 Chico State team won 19 times. They are leading the CCAA in kills, assists, service aces, and digs.
The Wildcats have accomplished all of this despite losing four of last year's key players to graduation, followed by the injuries to Nordhal and Wright. Senior Shannon Boling has found new life at opposite hitter, hitting .600 against Cal State East Bay on Sept. 29 and .244 on the season. The sophomore class has stepped up this year as well. Anna Baytosh is tied for eighth in the CCAA in solo blocks with nine and is improving as the season progresses, hitting .563 against Cal State East Bay and .173 for the year. Outside hitter Olivia Mediano is third in the CCAA in kills with 311 and fourth in kills per set with 3.70. Libero Shannon Cotton is fifth in the conference in digs with 366, and along with Jacki Kreymborg (tied for fifth in the CCAA with 24 service aces) is an integral part of the solid defense Hein demands.
"Our relentlessness is out of this world," Cotton said.
Chico State has a shorter squad than many CCAA teams. There are no mountainous, physical terrors on the 'Cats' squad. They instead rely on efficient and dynamic hitters capable of adapting and rising to the occasion, and tough defenders ready to react.
True freshman Kim Wright has taken to the program's philosophy with enthusiasm. During a match against Dominican University, Wright earned 13 kills and had a .364 hitting percentage on the season, before her Sept. 11 injury.
"Every time I step onto the court, I can feel the energy from all my teammates; we are going to get this ball we are going to get this kill," she said prior to her injury. "That's what makes it so fun."
Through two major injuries, an added team to the conference, and a tough schedule, the Wildcats continue to rack up wins. They have remained relentless in their commitment to each other and the way they play on the court. They compete with this mindset: "If you want a 'W,' you're going to have to outwork us. Good luck with that."
