The Chico State volleyball team is preparing for its final home stand of the regular season, and the Wildcats know their playoff aspirations are on the line. The 'Cats need a strong finish for any chance to capture a berth in the upcoming California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship Tournament, and they hope to get it started this weekend in the friendly confines of Acker Gym. The Wildcats host Sonoma State Friday at 7 p.m., followed Saturday by a 5 p.m. tilt against Humboldt State.
Fans can follow the action online with Live Stats and live streaming video, both available through the Wildcat Athletics website.
Fans that are planning on attending Friday's match against Sonoma State are encouraged to arrive early. Both campus parking structures will be closed on that day, and with the Almond Bowl high school football game scheduled across the street at Chico High School, parking close to Acker Gym is expected to present a challenge.
Chico State enters the weekend 12-11 on the season and in fifth place in the CCAA North Division with a 5-10 conference record. The Wildcats are currently one game behind both Stanislaus State and San Francisco State, and one-half game ahead of sixth place Sonoma State. The top four teams in the North at the end of the regular season will earn a berth to the conference tournament.
With only three regular season matches remaining, Chico State doesn't necessarily have to run the table to get into postseason play, but a weekend home sweep will certainly bolster the team's playoff chances.
The Wildcats have not fared well in October, losing five of their six matches played this month. Chico State dropped a pair in Southern California last weekend, falling to both No. 9 Cal State LA and Cal State Dominguez. The 'Cats have lost eight of their last 10 decisions dating back to mid-September.
Chico State is 3-5 at home this season.
Bekah Boyle remains the 'Cats' big hitter this season, ranking fourth in the CCAA with 283 kills and eighth in kills per set (3.25). Makaela Keeve's .319 hitting percentage is eighth-best in the conference.
Junior setter Nicole Desrochers is second in the CCAA in assists (845) and third in assists per set (10.30). She is also second in the conference in service aces (32) and sixth in aces per set (0.39).
Middle hitter Kim Wright is tied for third in the CCAA in aces (31), ninth in aces per set (0.36), and thanks to 238 kills and 71 blocks, ranks ninth in the conference in points per set (3.59).
Junior defensive specialist Brooke Fogel ranks second in the CCAA with 372 digs, and is fifth in digs per set (4.33).
Sonoma State, 8-15 on the year and 4-10 in CCAA play, comes to Acker Gym Friday in a definite "must-win" situation. The Seawolves have four matches remaining, but must leapfrog the Wildcats and one other team to get into the postseason.
Sonoma State has had an even tougher month than the Wildcats, having dropped six straight decisions, including road matches last weekend against Cal State San Marcos and UC San Diego. The Seawolves' last win was a four-set victory over Chico State September 29 in Rohnert Park.
Tate Battistini is the Seawolves' big weapon on offense. The junior outside hitter ranks second in the CCAA with 296 kills and is seventh in kills per set (3.40). Sophomore middle blocker Adriana Baysinger has 174 kills on the season and is fifth among all conference hitters with a .343 hitting percentage.
Sonoma State is 4-12 on the road this season, but historically has played well at Acker Gym. The Seawolves have not lost to the Wildcats in Chico since 2013.
Humboldt State, which takes on the Wildcats following a Saturday match in Turlock against Stanislaus State, is out of the playoff picture and is trying to finish the season on a positive note. The Lumberjacks are 3-19 overall, and in last place in the CCAA North Division with an 0-14 conference record. Humboldt's double-digit losing streak extends all the way back to September 1, when the 'Jacks swept non-conference opponent Holy Names.
The Lumberjacks are led by junior outside hitter Lauren Reid, with 188 kills on the season. Sophomores Summer Hansen and Hannah Cantrell have combined another 230 kills for Humboldt.
Humboldt is 3-13 away from its home floor, Lumberjack Arena. The 'Jacks have not beaten the Wildcats in Chico since the 2011 season.
Saturday marks the second time Chico State and Humboldt State have met this season. The Wildcats were three-set winners September 28 in Arcata.
