It's officially go time. With 10 non-conference games in the rear-view mirror, the Chico State volleyball team begins California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play and defense of its North Division title this weekend, hosting Cal State LA Friday and Cal State Dominguez Hills Saturday at Acker Gym. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
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 sports a 6-4 record entering Friday's conference opener. The Wildcats kicked off the week in positive fashion Tuesday, posting a three-set victory in their home opener and final non-conference match against Simpson University.
The 'Cats begin conference play ranked fourth among the 13 CCAA teams in kills (425), fourth in assists (396) and sixth in hitting percentage (.202). Chico State is also tied for third in the conference with 59 service aces and fourth in aces per set (1.64).
Individually, a healthy handful of Wildcats are ranked in the top 10 in many CCAA statistical categories:
-- Brooke Fogel is second in the conference in digs (177) and digs per set (5.06).
-- Nicole Desrochers is tied for second in service aces (15) and tied for eighth in aces per set (0.42).
-- Anna Baytosh ranks sixth in the CCAA in hitting percentage (.346).
-- Makaela Keeve is ninth in the conference in hitting percentage (.202).
-- Bekah Boyle is eighth among CCAA hitters in kills (99) and eighth in kills per set (3.09).
Cal State LA, which faces the Wildcats Friday, is 4-4 so far in 2018. The Golden Eagles, trying to improve on their 15-11 record from a year ago, enter play after splitting four matches last weekend at the D2 West Region Showcase in Nampa, Idaho. Cal State LA dropped their first two contests to Northwest Nazarene and Hawaii Pacific, but came back to post four-set victories over Dominican and Simon Fraser.
The Golden Eagles are led by freshman outside hitter Karla Santos, who ranks fifth in the CCAA with 104 kills. Freshman outside Alejandra Negron and junior middle hitter Daisia Labrie have combined to contribute 131 kills to the Golden Eagles' attack.
Chico State won the lone meeting with Cal State LA last year, beating the Golden Eagles in four sets November 12 in Southern California. Cal State LA leads the all-time series 34-11.
Cal State Dominguez Hills, which comes to Chico following its Friday match against Stanislaus State, is also 4-4 on the young season. The Toros, 9-17 last year, were part of the D2 West Region Showcase played last weekend in Lacey, Washington, and lost three of their four matches. Dominguez Hills split their first two contests before dropping two Saturday decisions to Point Loma and Saint Martin's.
The Toros as a team lead the CCAA in blocks (95.5) and blocks per set (2.58) while ranking third in kills (462) and third in kills per set (12.49).
The top two offensive threats for Dominguez Hills are sophomore outside hitter Tati Yandall (98 kills) and senior outside Bridget Heins (91 kills). Senior outside hitter Morelia Castro is the CCAA's top blocker (38 blocks, 1.27 blocks per set).
Chico State won both meetings with the Toros last season, including a sweep in the first round of the CCAA Championship Tournament. The Wildcats have beaten Dominguez Hills in the last five matchups and lead the all-time series between the two teams 35-9.
