The Chico State volleyball team successfully kicked off the week Tuesday with a sweep of San Francisco State, so confidence is riding high as the Wildcats prepare to take on two teams they're trying to catch in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) North Division standings. Friday the 'Cats host Cal State East Bay, followed by a clash Saturday with Cal State Monterey Bay. Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m. at Acker Gym.
Fans unable to attend in person can follow the action both Friday and Saturday online. Live Stats and live streaming video are available via the Wildcat Athletics website.
Chico State enters the weekend with a 9-10 record and sits in fourth place in the CCAA North Division with a 3-6 conference mark. The Wildcats trail second place Cal State East Bay by two-and-a-half games and third place Cal State Monterey Bay by two.
With nine conference matches remaining, the 'Cats need a strong finish to assure themselves of one of four North Division berths for next month's CCAA Championship Tournament.
Cal State East Bay, Chico State's Friday night opponent, has won its last three matches and sports an overall record of 12-5. The Pioneers, who are 5-3 in the CCAA, played a non-conference match Tuesday, downing Hawai'i-Hilo in three sets.
East Bay features four hitters with over 150 kills on the year: Junior outside Kiki Lueteneker (203), junior middle Deja Thompson (191), sophomore outside Lindsey Ray (168) and junior middle Kathy McKiernan (159). McKiernan leads the CCAA with a .381 hitting percentage, and has combined with Thompson for nearly 120 blocks this season.
This is the first meeting of the year between the Wildcats and Pioneers. The two teams split last season's two regular season matchups, with Chico State holding a 32-11 lead in the all-time series.
Cal State Monterey Bay, which comes to Chico Saturday following a Friday night match in Turlock against Stanislaus State, is 10-6 overall and 4-4 in CCAA play. The Otters have dropped three of its last five decisions coming into the weekend, but are coming off a sweep of Humboldt State on Tuesday.
The Otters have put up some impressive team numbers this season, leading the CCAA in hitting percentage (.263) and service aces per set (1.71) while ranking second in kills per set (13.55) and assists (12.71).
Senior outside hitter Maddy Underwood is Monterey Bay's top offensive weapon with 176 kills entering the weekend. Junior outside Anela Visesio and senior outside Amber Tygart have racked up 159 and 149 kills, respectively.
Saturday will be the first time the 'Cats and the Otters have gone head-to-head in 2017. Chico State swept last year's season series, and have won 12 of the last 13 meetings with the Otters. The Wildcats hold a 23-3 in the all-time series between the two teams.
