Oh, if the Chico State volleyball team could only have that first set back...who knows how the rest of the match would have transpired. The Wildcats came tantalizingly close to taking a two sets to none lead in its Friday contest with Cal State San Bernardino, but the opening set slipped through their collective fingers. After the 'Cats won a spirited second set, the No. 17 Coyotes regrouped at intermission and took the next two sets to down Chico State 23-25, 25-21, 13-25, 17-25 at Acker Gym.
Friday's defeat extended Chico State's current losing streak to four, and dropped the Wildcats to 16-10 on the year and 8-8 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal State San Bernardino won its 11th straight to improve to 22-3 overall and 15-2 in CCAA play.
The Wildcats, alone in seventh place in the conference standings, are fighting for one of the eight berths in the upcoming CCAA Championship Tournament, and despite Friday's loss are still in control of their own destiny.
With four matches remaining in the regular season, the 'Cats hold a one game lead over eighth place Stanislaus State and are a game-and-a-half ahead of ninth place Humboldt State. The Lumberjacks are two down in the loss column and have just three matches remaining.
Anna Baytosh led the Wildcat offense Friday with 11 kills, with Olivia Mediano also scoring in double figures with 10 kills while adding 13 digs. Torey Thompson doled out 39 assists, collected 13 digs and posted a pair of service aces, and Shannon Cotton led all Chico State players with 18 digs.
The first set saw Cal State San Bernardino break an early five-all tie with a 7-3 run to go up 12-8. The Coyotes were still on top 15-12 when Chico State got hot, scoring 11 of the next 14 points – Mediano, Baytosh, Ashton Kershner and Shannon Boling all contributing kills – to give the Wildcats a 23-18 lead. Just two points away from victory, Chico State would not score again, as San Bernardino reeled off seven points in a row to steal the 25-23 win.
The late collapse would prove costly, because the 'Cats bounced back with authority in the second set, jumping out in front 7-1 lead and never relinquishing the lead. With the score 14-8, Chico State went on an 8-4 run – Thompson delivered an ace, Kershner provided three kills and Mediano posted a pair of winning swings – to up the Wildcats' lead to 22-12. San Bernardino didn't give in, though, pulling to within 24-21, but a Coyotes error provided the 'Cats with the set point to record the 25-21 victory and even up the match.
It was San Bernardino's turn to lead from wire to wire in the third set, as the Coyotes went up early 8-2 and quickly extended their advantage to 19-7. Thanks to some San Bernardino miscues, Chico State scored a handful of points late in the contest, but it wasn't nearly enough as the Coyotes cruised to the 25-13 victory.
The two teams split the first 16 points of the fourth set, but San Bernardino broke the tie and took control with a 9-2 run to go up 17-10. The Wildcats scored the next three points on kills from Thompson and Boling and a Mediano/Hannah Williams combo block to pull to within four, but that would be as close as Chico State would get, as the Coyotes scored eight of the last 12 points to bring home a 25-17 victory and the match win.
Chico State is back in action Saturday, hosting UC San Diego. The Tritons (16-9, 12-5 CCAA) come to Acker Gym as one of the hottest teams in the conference, riding a seven-match winning streak. First serve is slated for 7 p.m.; prior to the match, Shannon Boling and Hannah Wilkins will be honored in a special Senior Night ceremony.
