SAN FRANCISCO—Despite playing well, the Chico State volleyball team lost a tough four-set decision to Sonoma State Friday in the front end of its weekend Bay Area road trip. Much to the Wildcats' credit, there was absolutely no sign of a letdown Saturday night against conference foe San Francisco State—the 'Cats came out firing, taking early command of the match and needing just three sets to down the host Gators 25-13, 25-20, 25-17 at The Swamp.
 
Saturday's win snapped Chico State's three-match losing streak and evened its season record at 8-8 while moving the Wildcats to 2-4 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) North Division. San Francisco State fell to 5-9 overall and 1-5 in the CCAA North.
 
Olivia Mediano turned in an outstanding all-around effort Saturday, leading the Wildcats with 14 kills, 16 digs and five service aces. Bekah Boyle added eight kills and four blocks to the 'Cats' attack, while Makaela Keeve and Kelley Jacome contributed six kills apiece. McKenna Carroll and Nicole Desrochers combined to dish out 24 assists on the night.
 
A Kim Wright service ace and three kills by Mediano staked Chico State to a quick 5-0 lead in the evening's opening set. San Francisco State pulled to within 9-7, but another Wright ace, a Wright/Bekah Boyle combo block and two Bekah Boyle kills extended the 'Cats' advantage to 15-9. The Gators could get no closer than four points the rest of the way, with the Wildcats using a 9-2 run to roll to the 25-13 victory.
 
The 'Cats and Gators split the first 18 points of set number two, but Chico State went ahead to stay on the strength of a 7-2 run—a Desrochers ace and kills by Wright, Mediano, Jacome and Anna Baytosh made the score 16-11. San Francisco State hung around, trailing 22-18 before kills by Keeve and Bekah Boyle sealed the deal, giving the Wildcats a 25-20 win.
 
The third set was a tightly-played affair early on, but once Chico State used a Mediano ace and kills by Mediano, Jacome and Bekah Boyle to fuel an 8-2 run and go out in front 11-7, the 'Cats would not relinquish the lead. Late kills by Mediano, Baytosh and Keeve pushed the Wildcats' advantage to seven, with a Gators error providing the decisive point to give Chico State the 25-17 victory and the match sweep.   
 
The Wildcats return home Tuesday, and for the second time in five days, will take on the Seawolves of Sonoma State (12-3 overall, 6-0 CCAA North). First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Acker Gym.