LA JOLLA, Calif.—The Chico State volleyball team is finding success on the road in short supply during the first month of the 2017 season. The Wildcats were unable to come home with a weekend victory in their first round of conference matches away from the friendly confines of Acker Gym, dropping a four-set decision Friday to Cal State San Marcos and suffering a sweep at the hands of UC San Diego Saturday, bowing to the Tritons 14-25, 22-25, 18-25 at RIMAC Arena.
Saturday's loss drops Chico State to 7-7 on the season and 1-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) North Division. UC San Diego won its third straight decision to improve to 9-2 overall and 3-0 in the CCAA South Division.
Makaela Keeve and Mckenna LaForge each contributed 10 kills to the Wildcats' attack Saturday, with Keeve also registering three blocks. McKenna Carroll and Nicole Desrochers combined to dole out 28 assists, while Tristen Thompson led the 'Cats with 12 digs on the night.
UC San Diego roared out to a 9-2 lead in the match's opening set. The Wildcats briefly established some traction with three much-needed points—highlighted by a Keeve kill and a Keeve/Bekah Boyle block—but quickly gave up three consecutive points to fall behind 13-5. A Bekah Boyle kill and solo block pulled the 'Cats to within six, only to see the Tritons go on a 7-1 run to firmly take control of the contest. Late kills by Keeve, LaForge and Olivia Mediano couldn't stem the tide, and UC San Diego rolled to the 25-14 victory.
Two kills apiece by Keeve and LaForge staked Chico State to a 6-3 lead in the second set, but UC San Diego scored eight of the next 11 points to go out in front 11-9. The Tritons extended their advantage to 14-10, but a 5-1 Wildcat run—fueled by a Desrochers service ace, a Keeve/Anna Baytosh block and kills by LaForge and Carroll—got the 'Cats even at 15-apiece. The Wildcats fought hard, but could never recapture the lead—with the score still knotted up at 22-all, UC San Diego reeled off three straight points to post the 25-22 win.
LaForge and Keeve provided the early offense for the 'Cats in third set, but the Tritons went out in front 3-2 and steadily embellished their advantage, building a 14-8 lead. Chico State would not go down without a fight—Keeve, Mediano, Bekah Boyle and Kelley Jacome all hammered kills down the stretch to help the 'Cats creep to within 22-17. There would be no epic comeback, though, as UC San Diego scored the three points it needed to take the set 25-18 and sweep the match.
Chico State is back on the road next week, traveling to Rohnert Park Friday to battle Sonoma State followed by another Bay Area tilt Saturday against San Francisco State. Both matches are scheduled to get underway at 7 p.m.
