The Chico State volleyball team has won eight of its last nine matches since September 10, and the only blemish during that productive run was a four-set loss to Humboldt State two weeks ago in Arcata. Friday night the Wildcats had a chance to even the score with the Lumberjacks, and Head Coach Cody Hein's squad did not let the opportunity go by, as the 'Cats downed the Lumberjacks 25-16, 25-23, 19-25, 25-15 at Acker Gym.
Chico State's fourth straight win and sixth consecutive home victory moves the Wildcats to 12-4 on the season. The 'Cats raised their conference record to 6-1 and now own a two game lead in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) North Division. Humboldt State dropped to 8-5 overall and 3-2 in CCAA play.
Olivia Mediano was the offensive star of the night, crushing a season-high 21 kills to lead the Wildcat attack. Camryn Rocha, Ashton Kershner, Torey Thompson, Kim Wright and Anna Baytosh combined for another 36 winners, with the 'Cats posting a collective .286 hitting percentage.
Thompson also reached an impressive milestone in her Chico State career. Her 43 assists Friday give her 4,002 as a Wildcat, making her just the third setter in the program's history with 4,000 career assists.
Thompson also racked up a team-high 15 digs on the night, with Tristen Thompson and Shannon Cotton collecting 13 and 12 digs, respectively. Wright added four blocks for the 'Cats, with Mediano and Kershner registering three blocks apiece.
Chico State broke out to a 9-4 lead early in the first set on the strength of service aces from Mediano and Torey Thompson and kills by Mediano, Wright and Kershner. Humboldt State closed to within two at 14-12, but the 'Cats hit the gas and ripped off a 9-3 run – Rocha, Mediano, Kershner and Torey Thompson all supplying kills – to go up 23-15. A Baytosh/Wright combo block provided the deciding point in the Wildcats' 25-16 win.
The second set was a back-and-forth affair that featured 11 tie scores and four lead changes. Humboldt held an 18-16 advantage when Chico State unleashed the winning rally – a solo block by Baytosh and kills by Rocha, Mediano and Torey Thompson capped an 8-4 run to put the Wildcats on top 24-22. The Lumberjacks survived one set point, but a Mediano kill put the contest away, giving the 'Cats the 25-23 victory.
Chico State had visions of a match sweep as they used three kills by both Wright and Mediano and two apiece from Rocha and Torey Thompson to build a seemingly comfortable 18-14 lead. Humboldt State regrouped with authority, however, scoring 11 of the next 12 points to pull out a 25-19 victory and force a fourth set.
What turned out to be the final set was evenly played early on, with the two teams splitting the first 18 points. Chico State scored four straight to go up 13-9 – Mediano slugging a pair of kills and pairing with Wright on a big block at the net – and the Wildcats never relinquished the lead. The 'Cats finished out on an 8-2 run, with Wright, Mediano and Baytosh all contributing kills, and a Rocha/Kershner combo block sealed the deal as Chico State downed the Lumberjacks 25-15 to win the match and even the season series.
The Wildcats begin a four-match road swing next Tuesday, traveling to Rohnert Park to take on Sonoma State, with the action beginning at 7 p.m. Chico State will then play Cal State Monterey Bay, Cal State East Bay and San Francisco State before returning to Acker Gym Oct. 22 to host Stanislaus State.
