CARSON – Even a bare handful of games into conference play, every contest is important in the always-competitive California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). It's especially so in volleyball. The Chico State Wildcats more than rose to the challenge Friday in the front end of its two-match Southern California road swing, needing just four sets to down host Cal State Dominguez Hills 25-21, 22-25, 25-8, 25-21 at the Torodome in Carson.
 
Friday's win gives Chico State a 10-2 record on the season as the Wildcats improve to 2-0 in the CCAA. Cal State Dominguez Hills dropped its fourth straight decision to slip to 2-8 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

 

Olivia Mediano led the Wildcats with 19 kills on the night, with Ashton Kershner adding 12 kills, three service aces and a pair of blocks. Shannon Boling contributed 10 kills and three blocks for the 'Cats, while Hannah Wilkins posted seven kills and four blocks. Torey Thompson dished out 51 assists to go along with 12 digs; Anu Munkhtur and Shannon Boling racked up 21 and 17 digs, respectively.
 
The Wildcats fell behind early in the opening set, but a 7-2 run – Mediano and Boling combining for five kills – gave Chico State an 8-5 lead. With the score tied at 9-all, the 'Cats, powered by Mediano and Kershner kills, ripped off four straight points to go back on top. Dominguez Hills pulled to within 13-12, only to see kills by Mediano and Kershner and a pair of Boling blocks push Chico State's lead to 19-15. The Toros twice crept to within one, but the Wildcats scored five of the final eight points – Mediano providing the winning kill – to prevail 25-21.
 
Dominguez Hills snapped a 4-4 tie with a 6-2 run to gain the upper hand at the start of the second set. The Toros had extended their advantage to 13-7 when Chico State went on a 9-1 run – Kershner landing an ace and Thompson, Wilkins, Mediano and Boling all delivering kills to put the 'Cats on top 16-14. The Wildcats were still in front 18-16 when the Toros took control with an 8-3 run, and though a late Mediano kill briefly staved off set point, Dominguez Hills recorded the winning point to post a match-tying 25-22 victory.
 
A Kershner ace and kills by Mediano, Wilkins and Boling helped Chico State jump out to an 8-2 lead in the third set. The 'Cats quickly upped their advantage to 14-3 on the strength of a Mediano ace, kills by Mediano and Boling and combo blocks by Wilkins/Boling and Wilkins/Shelby Frank. Dominguez Hills could not recover, as the Wildcats built a 17-point advantage and cruised to a 25-8 win.
 
The Toros went out in front 5-2 in the fourth set, but kills by Wilkins, Kershner, Frank and Boling highlighted an 8-2 Wildcats run to put Chico State on top 10-7. The 'Cats kept the pressure on, using a Jacki Kreymborg ace and kills by Kershner, Wilkins and Mediano to extend the lead to 17-10. The Toros pulled to within 21-18, but late kills by Thompson, Kershner and Mediano powered the 'Cats to a 25-21 win and the match victory.   
 
The Wildcats wrap up their Southern California road trip Saturday, traveling to The Eagles' Nest to take on the equally hot Cal State L.A. Golden Eagles (9-1, 2-0 CCAA). The match gets underway at 7 p.m. Fans can follow the action online with Live Stats through the Wildcat Athletics website.