The clock is ticking. Just seven matches remain in the 2018 regular season, and the Chico State volleyball team knows it needs to post a strong finish for any chance at a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship Tournament berth. After nine straight contests against North Division opponents, the Wildcats take on a pair of teams this weekend from the conference's strong South Division. Cal State San Marcos comes to Acker Gym to take on the 'Cats Friday, with UC San Diego in town on Saturday. Both matches are scheduled to get underway at 7 p.m.
Fans unable to attend in person can follow the action online with Live Stats and live streaming video, available through the Wildcat Athletics website.
Chico State is still alive in its quest to reach postseason play, but the Wildcats have a lot of work to do—and not much time to do it. Despite an overall record of 11-8, the 'Cats have lost three in a row and five of their last six decisions to drop to 4-7 in CCAA play and into sixth place in the North Division.
The top four teams from both the North and South Divisions will compete in the CCAA Championship Tournament November 8–10 in Turlock.
Chico State has struggled at home so far this season, losing four of six matches at Acker Gym. The Wildcats' last match was particularly gut-wrenching, letting a two-set lead get away in dropping a five-set decision Friday to Cal State Monterey Bay.
The 'Cats can turn their immediate fortunes and postseason hopes around with a pair of wins this weekend. Chico State definitely has the offensive firepower, featuring five hitters with over 100 kills on the season.
Bekah Boyle's 241 kills ranks second in the CCAA, with Kim Wright's 200 kills among the conference leaders. Kennedy Rice (166 kills), Kelley Jacome (127) and Makaela Keeve (107) also figure heavily in the 'Cats' attack.
Nicole Desrochers leads the CCAA with 31 service aces, and her 10.40 assists per set average ranks third among conference setters.
Cal State San Marcos, Chico State's Friday night foe, also enters the weekend fighting for a postseason berth. The Cougars are 8-10 overall and in fourth place in the CCAA South Division with a 4-6 conference mark.
San Marcos takes on the Wildcats having lost four in a row and six of its last seven matches. Last week the Cougars faced three straight teams ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) national top 25 rankings, falling to No. 14 Cal State LA, No. 24 Cal Poly Pomona and No. 1 Cal State San Bernardino.
The Cougars are 2-5 on the road this season.
San Marcos is led by junior outside hitter Maddy Newcombe (184 kills, 23 aces, 27 blocks), and senior middle blocker Faith Fortune (105 kills and a CCAA-leading 89 blocks).
Friday is the first meeting of the year between Chico State and Cal State San Marcos. The Wildcats and Cougars split their two 2017 matches, with Chico State holding a slim 3-2 lead in the all-time series.
UC San Diego, which comes to Chico following a Friday night contest against Stanislaus State, is 6-10 overall and in fifth place in the CCAA South with a 2-8 conference record. Despite being well under .500, the Tritons still have a shot at the South's final conference tournament berth, as they begin play this weekend just two games behind fourth place San Marcos.
UC San Diego has found victories hard to come by of late. The Tritons have also lost six of their last seven matches, though they did sweep Cal State Dominguez Hills last Tuesday and take No. 1 Cal State San Bernardino to five sets before falling Friday. UC San Diego wrapped up the weekend with a four-set loss to Cal Poly Pomona.
The Tritons, 4-6 on the road this season, are the top blocking team in the CCAA. Their 2.26 blocks per set leads the conference.
Sophomore outside hitter Gina Cortesi leads UC San Diego in kills (167) and digs (178), while junior middle blocker Jessica Rieble has racked up 148 kills, 67 blocks and a .380 hitting percentage.
The Tritons swept the Wildcats in the lone meeting between the two teams in 2017. Since 1985, UC San Diego owns a 28-8 advantage in the all-time series.
