Prior to Tuesday's home victory over Cal State East Bay, the Chico State volleyball team had played each of its first 10 matches of the 2015 season on the road. No sooner had the Wildcats thrilled the fans at Acker Gym with a three-set win over the Pioneers, Cody Hein's squad was packing its bags for yet another road trip – this time taking the 'Cats to Southern California for matches against Cal State Dominguez Hills Friday and Cal State L.A. on Saturday. Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m.
By the time Chico State visits San Francisco State next Tuesday, the Wildcats will have played 13 of their first 14 contests away from the friendly confines of Acker Gym. Despite having to play road warriors, the 'Cats are off to a solid 9-2 start on the year (just four wins shy of their victory total from all of last season) and 1-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).
Fans can follow the action of both weekend matches via Live Stats, available through the Wildcat Athletics website.
Cal State Dominguez Hills welcomes the Wildcats to the Torodome in Carson looking to improve on a 2-7 season record. The Toros head into Friday's match having dropped three straight decisions, the last being a three-set loss Wednesday to Cal Poly Pomona.
The Dominguez Hills roster features quite a bit of height, with six players listed at six feet or taller. Sophomore outside hitter Rylee Kiger leads the Toros with 90 kills, with senior opposite hitter Dana Brown among the CCAA leaders with 16 service aces. Defensively, Dominguez Hills boasts five players with at least 15 blocks on the season.
Chico State won both matchups with Dominguez Hills last season and 18 of the last 20 meetings dating back to 2005. All-time, the Wildcats hold a 32-9 advantage over the Toros.
Cal State L.A. enters the weekend 8-1 on the season and ranked just outside the American Volleyball Coaches Association national Top 25 poll. The Golden Eagles, who play 7-0 Stanislaus State Friday before Saturday's matchup with the Wildcats, were victorious Tuesday in their CCAA conference opener against Cal State Monterey Bay, downing the Otters in four sets.
Cal State L.A.'s offense revolves around senior outside hitter Iona Lofrano. A First Team All-CCAA selection last year, Lofrano currently leads the conference with a 4.07 kills per set average. Sophomore setter Kelsey Molnar, a Second Team All-CCAA pick in 2014, is averaging 9.64 assists per set heading into the weekend.
The Golden Eagles took both meetings with the Wildcats in 2014 and have won five of the last six matches between the two teams. Cal State L.A. leads the all-time series with Chico State 33-10.
