LOS ANGELES—The Chico State volleyball team knew it was facing a tough challenge on the front end of a two-day trek to Southern California. The Wildcats went head-to-head Friday with Cal State LA, ranked 10th in the nation entering play at University Gym. The 'Cats gave the Golden Eagles all they could handle, but in the end Cal State LA flexed enough muscle to sweep the Wildcats 25-19, 25-21, 25-19.
Friday's loss dropped Chico State to 12-10 on the season and 5-9 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) North Division. Despite falling to the Golden Eagles, the Wildcats remain in fifth place in the North, just a half-game back of fourth place San Francisco State and a half-game ahead of sixth place Sonoma State in the battle for the fourth and final North Division playoff berth.
Cal State LA won its sixth straight decision to improve to 19-1 overall and 11-1 in the CCAA South Division.
The Wildcats' offense was held to just 28 kills and a .184 hitting percentage by the Golden Eagles. Kennedy Rice led Chico State with eight kills, while Makaela Keeve and Kim Wright each added five winners. Hailey Carter doled out 18 assists, with Brooke Fogel racking up 11 digs on the night.
Things started well for Chico State as an Esti Wilson ace and a pair of kills by Rice propelled the Wildcats to a quick 4-0 lead. Cal State LA fought back to tie the contest at nine apiece, but the 'Cats posted three unanswered points to go back in front 12-9. Once again the Golden Eagles knotted the score at 15-all, and after Chico State scored the next point to briefly retake the lead, Cal State LA closed out the set with a 10-3 run to cement the 25-19 victory.
The Wildcats grabbed the early advantage in the second set, as kills by Keeve, Bekah Boyle, and Kelley Jacome, combined with three Golden Eagles miscues, staked Chico State to a 7-5 lead. The 'Cats were up 11-8 when Cal State LA scored four straight points to jump out in front, but this time Chico State had an answer: kills by Boyle, Keeve, and Jacome, along with a Keeve/Jacome combo block, fueled a 5-1 run to put the Wildcats back on top 16-13. The Golden Eagles came back to tie things up, and with the score 18-all, took off on a 7-3 run to sprint away from the 'Cats and win going away 25-21.
Cal State LA took an early 6-2 lead and never trailed in the third set. A kill by Boyle and a Golden Eagles error pulled the 'Cats to within two, but Cal State LA took control of the contest with an 8-3 run, extending its advantage to 15-7. The Wildcats continued to battle, but could get no closer than five points the rest of the way. Late kills by Wright, Jacome, Kennedy Greenwood, and Nicole Desrochers kept the 'Cats alive, but a Mickayla Sherman kill sealed the deal for the Golden Eagles, as Cal State LA won the set 25-19 to finish off the match sweep.
Saturday the Wildcats travel down the 710 freeway to Carson, wrapping up the weekend road trip against Cal State Dominguez Hills (8-12, 3-9 CCAA). First serve is set for 7 p.m. Fans can follow the action online with Live Stats and live streaming video, available through the Wildcat Athletics website.
