LOS ANGELES—The Chico State volleyball team logged another productive night on the hardwood Saturday at the Eagles' Nest—the Wildcats' 17-25, 25-16, 25-20, 25-17 win over Cal State L.A. insured Head Coach Cody Hein's squad would head into postseason play with a full head of steam while strengthening its chances to move into the top eight in the West Region as the 'Cats vie for a berth in next month's NCAA Championship Tournament.
Saturday's win, Chico State's fourth straight, boosted its overall record to 21-6—the most wins for a Wildcats volleyball team since 2009. The 'Cats, which clinched the CCAA North Division title Friday with a victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills, finished the regular season with a 15-3 conference mark. Cal State L.A. fell to 15-10 on the year and 11-6 in CCAA play.
With Cal State L.A.—the No. 8 team in the West Region—losing its last three regular season matches, the Wildcats, ranked ninth in the West entering the weekend, could now find themselves among the top eight when the next regional rankings are announced Wednesday.
Camryn Rocha paced the Wildcats' offense Saturday with 15 kills, while Kim Wright delivered 13 kills, three blocks and a pair of service aces. Anna Baytosh, Bekah Boyle and Torey Thompson each contributed eight kills, with Shannon Cotton leading the 'Cats with 13 digs on the night. Torey Thompson dished out 46 assists, giving her 1,017 for the year and marking the fourth straight time she has collected over 1,000 assists in a season. Thompson, now with 4,444 assists, moves past Erica Brick and into second place on the Wildcats' career assist list.
The Wildcats and Golden Eagles split the first eight points of the opening set before a 14-6 run put Cal State L.A. on top 18-10. Kills by Wright, Baytosh and Boyle and a Kershner/Rocha block kept the 'Cats alive, but the Golden Eagles were able to withstand the late charge and cruised to a 25-17 victory.
Chico State surrendered the first three points of the second set, but on the strength of aces by Wright and Tristen Thompson and kills by Rocha, Boyle, Kershner and Torey Thompson ripped off an impressive 17-6 run to put the 'Cats up by eight. Cal State L.A. closed to within six at 20-14, but kills and a combo block by Kershner and Baytosh plus a ace by Cotton were all the Wildcats needed to secure the 25-16 win.
Chico State jumped out to an 11-7 lead in the third set as Rocka, Boyle and Torey Thompson landed kills for the 'Cats. Cal State L.A. scored three straight to make it a one- point contest, but kills by Wright, Kershner, Rocha and Torey Thompson pushed the Wildcats' advantage to 18-13. Once again the Golden Eagles answered with a 4-0 run to pull to within one, only to follow with a pair of miscues, and kills by Rocha and Baytosh kept the 'Cats in front 22-19. A Jacki Kreymborg ace and Torey Thompson kill finished things off, giving Chico State a 25-20 victory.
The Wildcats spotted the Golden Eagles the first point of the fourth set, then went on an 8-1 run fueled by kills form Wright, Boyle, Rocha and Torey Thompson. Cal State L.A. scored six of the next eight points to make it a 10-8 contest, but Chico State responded with an 9-4 run—highlighted by a Rocha kill, ace and combo block with Wright—to go up 19-12. The Golden Eagles could not recover, and two late kills by Baytosh provided the points the Wildcats needed to win the set 25-17 and the match.
The Wildcats begin postseason play Thursday in the first round of the CCAA Championship Tournament. As the No. 1 seed in the North Division, Chico State will take on the South Division's No. 4 seed, Cal State Dominguez Hills. First serve is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Coussoulis Arena on the campus of Cal State San Bernardino.
