ANCHORAGE, Alaska—The Chico State volleyball team is facing the daunting task of playing four nationally-ranked teams in three days at the D2 West Region Showcase, but judging by their performance Thursday night against Alaska Anchorage, the Wildcats aren't intimidated in the least. Head Coach Cody Hein's crew gave the No. 14 Seawolves all they could handle, battling through four hard-fought sets before falling to the tournament hosts 18-25, 25-23, 19-25, 18-25 at the Alaska Airlines Center.
The loss dropped Chico State to 4-2 on the season, with Alaska Anchorage improving to 3-2 overall.
Olivia Mediano led the Wildcat offense with a season-high 14 kills as well as contributing 11 digs on the night. Kim Wright racked up 10 kills to go along with three blocks and three service aces, while Bekah Boyle and Makeala Keeve combined for 15 kills for the 'Cats. McKenna Carroll dished out 24 assists, with Brooke Fogel delivering a match-high 24 digs.
Alaska Anchorage jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the opening set, with the lone Wildcat score coming on a kill by Wright. After committing three straight errors, the Seawolves went on a 5-0 run to extend their advantage to 11-4. The 'Cats roared back to tie the score with seven unanswered points—Mediano and Alex Boyle each provided kills, and Wright delivered a pair of service aces to highlight the run. With the match knotted up at 12-apiece, Alaska Anchorage regrouped and took command of the contest with a 9-2 run. Late kills by Wright and Bekah Boyle cut the deficit to six, but a Vanessa Hayes kill closed things out, giving the Seawolves a 25-18 victory.
Three kills and a solo block by Keeve helped the Wildcats grab an early 10-6 lead in the second set. Alaska Anchorage pulled even at 15-all, but Chico State used kills by Keeve, Bekah Boyle and Anna Baytosh to jump back on top 20-17. The Seawolves crept to within a point five times, but the 'Cats refused to relinquish the lead. A booming kill by Mediano kill sealed the deal on Chico State's match-tying 25-23 win.
The Wildcats carried the momentum into set three, with two kills apiece by Wright and Bekah Boyle and a Wright/Alex Boyle combo block putting Chico State up early 7-1. The 'Cats led 11-6 when Alaska Anchorage ripped off an 8-0 run to jump in front 14-11. The Wildcats quickly fought back, using a Mediano kill and four Seawolves errors to take a 16-14 lead.
Alaska Anchorage regained the advantage and took control of the set, using a 10-2 run to go up 24-18. Other than a late kill by Wright, Chico State could not answer back, as the Seawolves scored the final point to register the 25-19 victory.
The 'Cats used kills by Wright and Mediano plus an Alex Boyle/Mckenna LaForge combo block to streak to an 8-5 lead early in the fourth set, only to see Alaska Anchorage respond with an 8-2 run to go out in front 13-10. Kills by Wright, LaForge, Keeve and Mediano kept Chico State close, but the Seawolves finished the set by scoring seven of the final eight points to post the 25-18 victory and the match win.
Chico State plays a pair of matches in day two of the D2 West Region Showcase. The Wildcats take on No. 15 Concordia-Irvine Friday at 1:30 p.m. Pacific time, then return to Alaska Airlines Center to battle No. 24 California Baptist at 9 p.m. Live Stats and live streaming video will be available for both matches via the Wildcat Athletics website.
