SAN FRANCISCO – The Chico State volleyball team took a midday bus ride down to San Francisco Tuesday, but the excursion was far from a sightseeing or pleasure trip – the Wildcats were Bay Area bound with the expressed purpose of getting back on the winning track. They did just that in dominating fashion, needing less than 90 minutes to sweep host San Francisco State 25-17, 25-18, 25-15 at The Swamp.
 
Chico State improved to 15-5 on the season with the win, moving the Wildcats to 9-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and increasing their lead in the CCAA North Division to two-and-a-half games. San Francisco State dropped its 14th in a row to fall to 1-17 overall and 0-10 in CCAA play.
 
Kim Wright led a balanced Chico State offense with 13 kills on the night, with Ashton Kershner, Camryn Rocha and Olivia Mediano contributing nine kills apiece. Torey Thompson dished out 27 assists to go along with 12 digs and three service aces, while Tristen Thompson and Shannon Cotton each logged 14 digs to lead the 'Cats.
 
The Wildcats dropped nine service aces on the Gators, and posted an impressive .342 hitting percentage in Tuesday's win.
 
Chico State broke open a four-all tie in the opening set with an 11-6 run – Tristen Thompson scored a service ace with Rocha, Kershner, Mediano and Anna Baytosh all providing kills – to put the Wildcats up 15-10. Chico State eventually extended its advantage to nine, and a Baytosh kill wrapped up the set, giving the 'Cats a 25-17 victory.
 
Torey Thompson's ace, a Kershner/Baytosh combo block and kills by Mediano, Kershner, Rocha and Wright put Chico State on top 9-5 in the second set, and though San Francisco State stayed close the rest of the contest – pulling to within three points at 19-16 – the Wildcats refused to let the lead slip away. Three late kills by Wright provided the points necessary to power Chico State to the 25-18 victory.
 
McKenna Carroll took over at setter and led the 'Cats to a 10-7 lead in the third set, delivering a kill and doling out assists to Kershner and Wright. The Gators crept to within 16-14, only to see Chico State reel off seven unanswered points – Wright registered an ace while Rocha and Kershner each bombed three kills – to go up 23-14. Carroll's set-ending service ace sealed the deal as the Wildcats prevailed 25-15 to sweep the match.   
 
Chico State is back in action Saturday, returning to Acker Gym for the first time since Oct. 7. The Wildcats will host Stanislaus State (9-11, 6-5 CCAA North Division) in a key conference division matchup. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.