For many, a trip to Alaska is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Chico State volleyball team, on the other hand, will make its second sojourn to the Last Frontier in 10 months this Thursday through Saturday, when the Wildcats take part in the D2 West Region Showcase at Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. Less than a year after traveling to Alaska for the NCAA Championship Tournament, the 'Cats will face their biggest challenge of the 2017 season, facing four teams in three days—all ranked in the top 25 nationally.
Chico State is scheduled to take on No. 14 Alaska Anchorage Thursday at 9 p.m. Pacific time, followed by Friday clashes with No. 15 Concordia-Irvine at 1:30 p.m. and No. 24 Cal Baptist at 9 p.m. The 'Cats conclude the D2 West Region Showcase against No. 10 Western Washington at 4:30 p.m. Pacific time.
Live Stats and live streaming video for all four Chico State matches will be available online via the Wildcats Athletics website.
Playing on the same court as last year's NCAA Championship Tournament West Regional, the D2 West Region Showcase features the top two finishers from each
of the region's three conferences—the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) and Pacific West Conference.
Five nationally ranked teams (No. 11 Cal State San Bernardino joining Western Washington, Alaska Anchorage, Concordia-Irvine and Cal Baptist) will be competing. All but Concordia-Irvine appeared in last season's NCAA West Regional, won by Alaska Anchorage).
Chico State enters the D2 West Region Showcase sporting a 4-1 record on the young season. The Wildcats defeated William Jessup last Thursday to open 2017 play, then took three of four over the weekend in the Bay Area at the Route 92 Classic.
Alaska Anchorage, the 'Cats' Thursday night opponent, is 2-2 so far in 2017. The Seawolves split their four season-opening matches at last weekend's Seaside Invitational in San Diego.
Alaska Anchorage, the preseason favorite to repeat as GNAC champions, is coming off the best season in program history, which included a conference championship, the NCAA West Regional title and an appearance in the NCAA national championship finals.
Chico State lost to Alaska Anchorage in the first round of last year's NCAA West Regional and has not beaten the Seawolves since 1993. Alaska Anchorage leads the all-time series with the Wildcats 5-4.
Concordia-Irvine, the first of two Friday opponents for the 'Cats, is the defending Pac West champion. Entering their first year of NCAA postseason eligibility, the Eagles are 3-0 in 2017, winning all three matches last weekend at its own Labor Day Invitational.
The Eagles and Wildcats have met just once before on the volleyball court, with Concordia-Irvine posting a three-set victory in the 2016 West Region Showcase.
Cal Baptist, which faces the 'Cats Friday night, is also 3-0 on the year entering the D2 West Region Showcase. The Lancers won their three matches at the Concordia-Irvine Labor Day Invitational, losing just one set during the weekend action. Cal Baptist was 20-9 last season and reached the NCAA West Regional after finishing second in the Pac West.
This Friday will mark the first time in two years the Lancers and Wildcats have locked horns. Chico State has won the last two head-to-head matches, including a five-set victory in the 2015 Route 92 Classic.
Western Washington faces Chico State in the 'Cats' lone Saturday match. The Vikings are 3-1 so far in 2017, with their lone loss coming against defending national champion and top-ranked Concordia-St. Paul at last weekend's Terrace Hotel Classic in Lakeland, Florida. Western Washington reached the NCAA West Regional last year on the strength of a 23-8 record and a second place finish in the GNAC.
Western Washington holds a 7-3 lead in the all-time series with Chico State, though the two teams haven't squared off since 2013. The last Wildcat volleyball victory over the Vikings was a 2011 sweep at the Cal State San Bernardino-hosted Coyote Classic.
