SEASIDE, Calif.—Whenever the Chico State volleyball team squares off with Cal State Monterey Bay, the Wildcats know going in it's going to be a battle. Entering Friday's contest at The Kelp Bed, 10 of the last 16 matchups between the 'Cats and the Otters had gone the maximum five sets, including their October 14th meeting earlier this season at Acker Gym. On this night, however, there would be no suspense or cliff-hanger ending: Monterey Bay needed just three sets to hand the Wildcats a disappointing 25-16, 25-14, 25-23 defeat.
Friday's loss dropped Chico State to 15-12 on the season and into a tie with Cal State East Bay for second place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) North Division standings with a 9-8 conference mark. The Wildcats and Pioneers, who have both clinched berths in next week's CCAA Championship Tournament, go head-to-head Saturday, with the winner earning the North's No. 2 seed and the loser settling for No. 3.
Cal State Monterey Bay, locked in as the No. 4 seed in the North, improved to 13-12 overall and 7-10 in CCAA play with Friday's win.
Olivia Mediano was the lone Wildcat registering double-digit kills on the night, hammering home 11 winners. Anna Baytosh added eight kills, with Kelley Jocome posting five kills and four blocks. Nicole Desrochers dished out 21 assists for the 'Cats, while Tristen Thompson led all players with 10 digs.
Chico State came out blazing in the opening set, as Mediano and Baytosh combined for five kills to give the Wildcats a 6-1 lead. The 'Cats were still up 9-5 when Monterey Bay ripped off a 12-2 run to move out in front 17-11. Chico State could get no closer than five the rest of the way, and despite late kills by Baytosh, Bekah Boyle and Makaela Keeve, the Otters scored seven of the final 10 points to roll to the 25-16 victory.
Monterey Bay carried the momentum into the second set, jumping out to an 8-3 lead. The Wildcats climbed back into the contest, pulling to within 12-10 on the strength of kills by Boyle, Jacome, and Kim Wright. The Otters, however, refused to surrender the lead, putting the set away with a 13-4 run to prevail 25-14.
The Wildcat battled in a nip-and-tuck third set that featured 15 tie scores and three lead changes. Chico State got the upper hand and took a 13-11 thanks to kills by Mediano, Baytosh, Boyle and Keeve, but a quick 6-1 run by Monterey Bay put the Otters up 17-14. The Wildcats responded by knotting up the contest, and with the score 19-all, a Monterey Bay error and a Baytosh/Keeve combo block gave Chico State a 21-19 lead. The Otters tallied four of the next five points to jump back on top 23-22, but a Baytosh kill tied things up again. Monterey Bay promptly answered with back-to-back kills by Amber Tygart and Maddy Underwood, giving the Otters the two points needed to win the set 25-23 and sweep the match.
The Wildcats and Cal State East Bay conclude the regular season Saturday in Hayward, with first serve scheduled for 7 p.m. Fans can follow the action online with Live Stats, available via the Wildcat Athletics website.
