As the old saying goes, there are no "I's" in team…but as far as the Chico State volleyball team is concerned, there are plenty of "K's" to go around. The Wildcats' top four hitters combined for an evenly distributed 35 kills against Cal State Monterey Bay, and the team's balanced attack provided more than enough firepower to vanquish the visiting Otters in three sets. The 'Cats collected their fourth straight "W" with a 25-18, 25-20, 25-16 victory Saturday night at Acker Gym.
Chico State, which finished the week winning three matches without losing a single set, improved to 8-3 on the season and 2-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal State Monterey Bay dropped to 5-4 overall and 0-2 in CCAA play.
Olivia Mediano, Anna Baytosh and Camryn Rocha all had nine kills to lead the Chico State offense, with Kim Wright adding eight kills. Torey Thompson had five kills and doled out 35 assists on the night, while Shannon Cotton paced the 'Cats with a dozen digs. Chico State posted a solid .254 hitting percentage while holding Monterey Bay to a .129 clip.
The two teams split the first 22 points of the opening set, but the Wildcats took charge with a 7-0 run, fueled by a Tristen Thompson service ace, kills by Mediano and Torey Thompson, and a Mediano/Wright combo block. Monterey Bay crept to within 20-16, only to see Rocha and Mediano each deliver a pair of kills down the stretch to secure the 25-18 win.
The second set was back-and-forth in the early going, with both teams surrendering multiple leads. With the score knotted up at nine apiece, Chico State let loose with a 12-4 run – Mediano, Rocha and Wright all came through with aces, while Rocha, Wright, Mediano, Torey Thompson and Alex Boyle provided convincing kills to put the 'Cats on top 21-13. The Otters survived four set points to pull to within 24-20, but Wright ripped the deciding kill that cemented the Wildcats' 25-20 victory.
After spotting Monterey Bay the first point of the third set, Chico State went on another 12-4 run to take control of the contest – Tristen Thompson dropped another ace on the Otters, Mediano and Wright combined for a block and Mediano, Wright, Torey Thompson and Ashton Kershner delivered kills to put the 'Cats up 12-5. Monterey Bay battled back to close to within 17-13, but the Wildcats once again answered by scoring eight of the set's final 11 points – Rocha, Baytosh and Kershner crushing kills for the final three Chico State points to seal the 25-16 victory and the match sweep.
The Wildcats are back in action next Saturday, traveling to Arcata to take on Humboldt State. The match is scheduled for 7 p.m at Lumberjack Arena.
