If you're a volleyball fan who likes a lot of offense, then Acker Gym was definitely the place to be Friday as Chico State and Cal State LA squared off in the California Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAA) opener for both teams. In a match that featured a combined 108 kills, the visiting Golden Eagles powered their way to a four-set victory, downing the Wildcats 25-17, 25-22, 14-25, 25-20.
With Friday's loss, Chico State dropped to 6-5 on the season and 0-1 in the CCAA, while Cal State LA improved to 5-4 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
The Wildcats posted an impressive .283 hitting percentage, but it wasn't enough to stop the Golden Eagles, which pounded the ball at a .328 clip. Bekah Boyle led the 'Cats with 13 kills, with Makaela Keeve adding 10 kills and five blocks on the evening. Anna Baytosh and Mckenna LaForge tallied eight and seven kills, respectively, while McKenna Carroll and Nicole Desrochers combined for 47 assists. Tristen Thompson led Chico State with 13 digs.
The Wildcats jumped out in front early in Friday's opening set, as two Keeve kills and a Keeve/Olivia Mediano combo block staked Chico State to a 6-3 lead. Cal State LA regrouped, using 10 kills—three by Karla Santos—to fuel a 15-6 run to go up 18-12. A pair of Bekah Boyle kills helped the 'Cats creep to within 19-16, but the Golden Eagles scored six of the set's final seven points to win going away 25-17.
Things starts well for Chico State in the second set, as four more kills by Keeve provided the Wildcats with a 10-7 advantage. Cal State LA once again came charging back, grabbing a 16-14 lead on the strength of a 9-4 run. The 'Cats knotted up the contest at 17-apiece, and the score was still tied at 20-all when the Golden Eagles used a Santos ace and kills by Santos, Sifa Faaiu and Daisia Labrie to pound their way to a 25-22 victory.
Now with their backs against the wall, the Wildcats came out firing in the third set. Chico State scored the first three points and never trailed, and went up 18-9 thanks to a 14-6 run—Baytosh, LaForge and Bekah Boyle all delivering multiple kills during the stretch. The 'Cats soon built a double-digit lead, and Alex Boyle crushed the decisive kill to give Chico State the 25-14 win.
The fourth set was a tightly-played affair, with 12 ties and five lead changes before it was decided. Chico State trailed 10-8 before three LaForge kills spurred a 6-2 run to put the 'Cats on top 14-12. Cal State LA regained the lead at 19-18 and steadily pulled away, posting the final three points of the set to win 25-20 and claim the match.
The Wildcats will try to bounce back Saturday night, as they host the Toros of Cal State Dominguez Hills (5-4, 1-0 CCAA). First serve is slated for 7 p.m. at Acker Gym.
