CHICO – For players and fans alike, it's hard to accept the fact that a career must someday come to an end. Sarah Rebibo, Michelle Walker, Annie Ward and Hannah Womack have sadly reached that point as members of the Chico State women's basketball team, but in this weekend's final games of the 2014-15 season, the senior quartet is determined to go out a winner as the Wildcats host Cal State Monterey Bay Friday and Cal State East Bay on Saturday at Acker Gym. Both games are scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m.
 
The 'Cats would like nothing more than to send Rebibo, Walker, Ward and Womack out on a winning note, as well as end the season on a positive roll. Chico State enters the weekend having lost seven of its last nine contests to slip to 9-15 overall and 6-14 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).
 
While it'll be business as usual Friday as the Wildcats try to sweep the season series with Cal State Monterey Bay (7-18, 5-15 CCAA), Saturday's Senior Night versus Cal State East Bay (16-10, 11-9 entering the weekend) will honor the contributions of the four outgoing Wildcat players in a special pregame ceremony.
 
Womack will write the final chapter to a Chico State career that has resulted in her ranking ninth in the program's history in free throws (247) and 10th in 3-point field goals (136). The Redding native has also averaged 11.1 points a game, dished out 119 assists, posted 80 steals and grabbed over 200 rebounds in her three years as a Wildcat.
 
Ward has been one of the Wildcats' top long-distance shooters since joining the program in 2011, knocking down 127 3-pointers in her Chico State career while also going up and over the century mark in rebounds, assists and games played.
 
Since transferring from Sierra College two years ago, Walker has been a strong force for the 'Cats underneath the basket, snaring in excess of 220 rebounds and posting 50 steals while averaging 5.4 points a game.
 
For Rebibo, it's something of a bittersweet farewell. The Citrus College transfer, slated to play a big role at point guard for the Wildcats this season following a solid 2013-14 campaign, suffered a knee injury in the fall that kept her on the sidelines for the entire season. She remained with the team, though, and made several significant off-the-court contributions to the Wildcats.
Though the Wildcats will miss out on postseason play for the first time in 13 seasons, Chico State received some spirited play from its stable of young, raw talent, and the maturity gained by these players through on-the-job training could very well benefit the program for years to come.
 
Chico State will reluctantly say goodbye Saturday to four special players who have been part of many successes in the past. The Wildcats are hoping that the program's future success begins this weekend.