LA JOLLA – The members of the Chico State volleyball team gave it their all Thursday afternoon in its first round California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship Tournament match, but in the end it was just too much Sonoma State. Despite several spirted comeback attempts, the Wildcats bowed to the No. 17 Seawolves 21-25, 16-25, 22-25 at RIMAC Arena in La Jolla, bringing an end to the 'Cats' postseason and the 2015 campaign.
Chico State closes out the season with a record of 17-14. In a season dogged by injuries and a handful of disappointing losses, the Wildcats can still look back with pride knowing they played well enough to earn the program's first postseason appearance in seven years.
Senior Shannon Boling, playing her final match for Chico State, led the Wildcats with 10 kills Thursday, with Anna Baytosh delivering nine winners. Torey Thompson delivered another great all-around game, tallying five kills, dishing out 24 assists and contributing a team-high 16 digs. Shannon Cotton had 13 digs to finish with an even 500 for the year, becoming just the fourth player in Chico State history with 500 digs in a season.
Sonoma State took an early 7-3 lead in the opening set, but the Wildcats slowly chipped away at the deficit. A Hannah Wilkins block and a Thompson kill brought Chico State to within 9-8, but the Seawolves posted four of the next five points to go up 13-9. Sonoma was still ahead by four at 16-12 when the 'Cats went on a 5-2 run – Wilkins registering a pair of kills and Olivia Mediano a service ace – to make the score 18-17. The Seawolves took control of the set by scoring six of the next seven points to extend their lead to 24-18, and though Chico State survived three set points, Sonoma was finally able to deliver the set winner for the 25-21 victory.
In the second set, Sonoma jumped out to a 6-1 advantage, but an 8-5 Wildcats run – fueled by kills by Mediano and Baytosh plus a Mediano/Ashton Kershner combo block – whittled the deficit to 11-9. The Seawolves extended their lead to 14-9, but following a Chico State timeout, kills by Baytosh and Boling brought the 'Cats to within three. Sonoma responded with four straight points to go up 18-11, and Chico State could get no closer than six the rest of the way, as the Seawolves rolled to the 25-16 win.
The Wildcats were forced to play catch-up again in the third set, immediately falling behind 6-0. Despite the team's best efforts, they never would. Sonoma stretched its lead to 11 at 16-5, but to its credit, Chico State continued to battle, using a 15-6 run – highlighted by kills from Boling, Kershner, Baytosh and Thompson – to narrow the gap to 22-20. The Seawolves, however, were able to regroup in time, posting the final three points they needed to win the set 25-22 and sweep the match.
Sonoma State goes on to face Cal Poly Pomona Friday in the CCAA Championship Tournament semifinals, while Chico State sees its 2015 season come to an end.
