The Chico State volleyball team has accomplished a lot in 2016, but the Wildcats are hoping a 20-win season and a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) North Division title are just the first in a long series of successes. The 'Cats begin postseason play this Thursday afternoon, taking on Cal State Dominguez Hills in the first round of the CCAA Championship Tournament. First serve is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Coussoulis Arena on the campus of Cal State San Bernardino.
Fans can follow the action on the Internet via Live Stats and live streaming video through the Wildcat Athletics website. Wednesday's pre-tournament banquet, where the 2016 All-CCAA selections will be announced, will also be streamed live beginning at 7 p.m.
CLICK HERE for Live Stats
CLICK HERE for live streaming video of Thursday's match between Chico State and Cal State Dominguez Hills
CLICK HERE to watch Wednesday's pre-tournament banquet
CLICK HERE to visit the official CCAA Volleyball Championship Tournament page
Chico State brings a 21-6 record to the CCAA Championship Tournament and is one of the event's two No. 1 seeds. The Wildcats, 15-3 in conference play, finished three games ahead of Sonoma State to secure the CCAA's North Division crown. Cal State Dominguez Hills finished 9-16 overall and 6-11 in conference action, earning the South Division's No. 4 tournament seed.
The Wildcats don't exactly need long memories when it comes to their first round opponent. Chico State and Cal State Dominguez Hills squared off last Friday in Southern California, with the 'Cats battling back from a two-sets-to-one deficit to beat the Toros in five.
The 'Cats wrapped up the regular season winning four straight and 13 of their last 15 matches. Chico State posted an 11-5 road record in 2016 while winning 10 of 11 at Acker Gym. Dominguez Hills (5-8 home, 4-8 road) dropped six of its last eight decisions leading up to the tournament.
With a strong performance in the CCAA Championship Tournament, the Wildcats will boost their chances of earning one of the eight West Region berths to next month's NCAA Championship Tournament. Chico State began last weekend ranked No. 9 in the West, and with No. 8 Cal State LA losing twice—including to the Wildcats—odds are good Head Coach Cody Hein's squad will be among the top eight before Thursday's opening serve.
If Chico State wins the CCAA Championship Tournament, the Wildcats will earn the conference's automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA Championship Tournament.
Chico State has won four in a row and 27 of the last 30 matches against Dominguez Hills dating back to 2001. The Wildcats lead the all-time series between the two teams 34-9.
This marks the second postseason appearance in as many years for Chico State. In 2015 the Wildcats were the No. 8 seed in the inaugural CCAA Volleyball Championship Tournament and were defeated in the first round by eventual conference champ Sonoma State.
A win over Dominguez Hills would mark Chico State's first postseason volleyball victory since beating Sonoma State November 20, 2008 in the opening round of the NCAA Championship Tournament West Regionals.
2016 CCAA VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
Thursday-Saturday, November 17-19
Coussoulis Arena, San Bernardino
Thursday, November 17 – Quarterfinals
12:00 p.m. – #3 (N) seed Stanislaus State (13-14) vs. #2 (S) seed UC San Diego (13-12)
2:30 p.m. – #4 (S) seed Cal State Dominguez Hills (9-16) vs.
#1 (N) seed Chico State (21-6)
5:00 p.m. – #3 (S) seed Cal State LA (15-10) vs. #2 (N) seed Sonoma State (14-11)
7:30 p.m. – #4 (N) seed Cal State East Bay (13-13) vs. #1 (S) seed Cal State San Bernardino (21-4)
Friday, November, 18 – Semifinals
5:00 p.m. – Winner of Quarterfinal 1 vs. Winner of Quarterfinal 2
7:30 p.m. – Winner of Quarterfinal 3 vs. Winner of Quarterfinal 4
Saturday, November 19 – Championship
7:00 p.m. – Winner of Semifinal 1 vs. Winner of Semifinal 2
