It took the majority of the first set to get up to speed Friday night, but when the Chico State volleyball team finally kicked into gear, there wasn't much San Francisco State could do to stop the Wildcats. Head Coach Cody Hein's 'Cats notched their third straight win and ninth in the last 10 contests with a 25-22, 25-12, 25-17 victory over the visiting Gators, extending Chico State's record to a perfect 8-0 at Acker Gym.
The win improved the Wildcats' overall record to 17-5, matching Chico State's win total of a year ago with five regular season matches still to play. The 'Cats went to 11-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), maintaining their two-game lead atop the conference's North Division standings. San Francisco State dropped its 17th straight decision Friday to fall to 1-20 on the year and 0-13 in CCAA play.
Olivia Mediano led all players with 13 kills Friday, posting an impressive .448 hitting percentage. Camryn Rocha registered eight kills for 'Cats, Bekah Boyle hammered home seven winners, while Kim Wright contributed six kills and three blocks. Torey Thompson collected 25 assists over two sets, with Nikki Desrochers adding another 10 assists in the match finale. Shannon Cotton paced the Wildcats with 10 digs on the night.
Chico State scored the first two points of the opening set, but San Francisco State answered with a 9-4 run to build a three point lead. The Wildcats trailed 13-12 before scoring nine of the next 13 points – Mediano and Tristen Thompson each notched a service ace, while Wright and Torey Thompson delivered kills – to put Chico State on top 21-17. The Gators went on a 4-0 run to tie score, but kills by Rocha and Ashton Kershner combined with a pair of late San Francisco State errors provided the 'Cats with the points needed to pull out the 25-22 win.
The Wildcats led from start to finish in the second set, grabbing a quick 3-0 lead and then breaking the contest open with a 11-2 run – Mediano and Boyle combining for seven kills during the stretch – to extend their advantage to 20-10. Kills by Rocha, Kershner, Boyle and Torey Thompson closed things out as the 'Cats cruised to the 25-12 victory.
Chico State roared out to a 10-3 lead in the third set and was never seriously challenged. San Francisco State closed to with 12-9 only to see the Wildcats reel off seven straight points – highlighted by a Cotton ace, three Mediano kills and an Alex Boyle solo block – to give the 'Cats a 19-9 lead. The Gators fought to the very end, surviving five straight match points, but a Rocha kill put an end to the proceedings, as the Wildcat won 25-17 to take the match and sweep the season series.
Chico State is back in action Saturday, hosting Sonoma State (11-9, 9-4 CCAA) in a battle of the North Division's first and second place teams. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. at Acker Gym.
