TURLOCK—The Chico State volleyball team was asked to roll out of bed Saturday and be at Turlock's Fitzpatrick Arena well before 8 a.m. for its final match in the NorCal Volleyball Classic. But the Wildcats, who endured nearly three weeks of morning practices in preparation for the season, were more than ready for their early-hour contest against Notre Dame de Numur. The 'Cats improved to 4-0 on the year by downing the Argonauts in four sets, 25-21, 25-13, 20-25, and 25-22.
Three Wildcat hitters registered double-digit kills on the day. Kim Wright led the way with 14, with Kelley Jacome and Kennedy Rice posting 12 and 10, respectively. Wright added four blocks, while Jacome and Rice had two stuffs apiece. Bekah Boyle notched nine kills and nine digs, with Nicole Desrochers contributing 41 assists, 16 digs and three service aces. Brooke Fogel racked up a team-high 22 digs.
On the strength of a Wright ace and kills by Wright, Rice, and Boyle, Chico State raced out to a 9-2 lead in the first set. The Wildcats would never trail in the contest, though Notre Dame de Namur used a late 5-1 run to pull to with 24-21. Rice stepped up to deliver the back-breaking kill and the final point to give the 'Cats the 25-21 victory.
Wright absolutely dominated the second set, delivering eight kills and teaming with Boyle on a block. Four Wright kills and a winner by Boyle staked Chico State to an early 7-4 lead, and though Notre Dame de Namur crept to within 9-8, four straight Argonauts errors pushed the 'Cats' advantage to 13-8, and Chico State never looked back. With the score 20-13, the Wildcats ripped off five straight points to end it, and capped by two Jacome kills and an ace by Desrochers, Chico State came away with the 25-13 win.
Notre Dame de Namur came out firing in set number three. The Wildcats took an early 3-1 lead, only to see the Argonauts go on a 12-2 run to jump on top 13-5. Kills by Rice and Lindsey Bryant kept the 'Cats within hollering distance, but Notre Dame de Namur was able to extend the margin to 21-13. Chico State made a late run thanks to three Jacome kills and a Desrochers ace, trimming the deficit to 23-20. The Argonauts thwarted the comeback attempt with back-to-back points to down the Wildcats 25-20.
Notre Dame de Namur kept the pressure on in the fourth set, racing out to a 10-4 lead. Chico State slowly climbed back into the contest—aces by Jacome and Ali Collins and three kills apiece by Boyle and Rice pulled the 'Cats even at 15-all. The Argonauts led 18-17 when Chico State produced what would turn out to be the set-winning rally—three straight Jacome kills put the Wildcats on top, and kills by Wright and Rice kept them there. With the score 23-22, Desrochers and Wright connected for back-to-back kills, giving the 'Cats the 25-22 win and the match victory.
The Wildcats are back in action next weekend, traveling to Fresno to take part in the two-day D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase. Chico State will face Seattle Pacific Friday at 1 p.m. and Simon Fraser at 5:30, followed by Saturday tilts against Chaminade at 10:45 a.m. and host Fresno Pacific at 7:45 p.m.
