Eight matches remain in the Chico State volleyball team's 2019 season—and all of them are key to the Wildcats' goal of reaching the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship Tournament. The Wildcats are very much in the mix for one of the North Division's four postseason berths, but after a forgettable Southern California road swing, a generous dose of home cooking couldn't have come at a better time. The 'Cats will be in Acker Gym this weekend to host a pair of talented CCAA South opponents, as Cal State Dominguez Hills comes to town Friday, followed by nationally-ranked Cal State LA on Saturday. Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m.
Fans can follow the action of both matches on the Internet with Live Stats and live streaming video, accessible through the Wildcat Athletics website.
Chico State enters weekend action 10-8 on the season, and is tied for second place with Stanislaus State in the CCAA North Division with a 6-4 conference record. The Wildcats saw its modest two-match winning streak come to an abrupt halt last weekend, as they bowed on the road to both UC San Diego and Cal State San Marcos.
The Wildcats, winners of three of four this season in the friendly confines of Acker Gym, continue to lead all 13 CCAA teams in kills (941) and assists (889).
Individually, Kim Wright ranks second in the conference in kills (249), kills per set (3.56), points per set (4.43), and is seventh among all CCAA hitters in attack percentage (.345).
Freshman setter Brooke Ono leads the CCAA in assists (733), and her assist per set average of 10.94 not only tops the conference but ranks 19th in all of Division II.
Brooke Fogel continues to keep the ball alive both offensively and defensively. The senior is seventh in the CCAA in digs (239), and eighth in digs per set (3.68).
Junior middle Makaela Keeve has racked up 198 kills on the season, and ranks 10th in the CCAA in attack percentage (.314).
Cal State Dominguez Hills, Chico State's Friday night opponent, is 10-6 overall but sits in fifth place in the CCAA South Division with a 3-6 conference record. The Toros may have turned things around, though, as Dominguez Hills scored back-to-back victories last weekend against Sonoma State and Humboldt State at the Torodome in Carson.
The Toros are 5-3 on the road so far in 2019.
Taylor Benitez-Fanslow is the Toros' top offensive weapon. The senior outside hitter has piled up 170 kills, 23 service aces, and 26 blocks this season, with sophomore outside Rylee Brown adding 132 kills to the Dominguez Hills attack. Senior middle blocker Mikayla Rogers and sophomore middle Renee Wheeler have combined for 73 blocks on the year.
In last year's lone meeting between Chico State and Dominguez Hills, the Toros swept the 'Cats October 20 in Carson. Despite the loss, the Wildcats have won 21 of the last 25 matchups since 2005, and lead the all-time series 36-10.
Cal State LA, which comes to Chico following a Friday night matchup in Turlock against Stanislaus State, begins the week 12-5 on the season and in second place in the CCAA South with an 8-1 conference mark. The Golden Eagles, ranked No. 24 in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll, have won four straight matches, including home victories last weekend over Humboldt State and Sonoma State.
Cal State LA is 4-4 this season playing away from its home floor, The Eagles Nest.
The Golden Eagles will provide a challenge at the net for the Wildcats Saturday. Cal State LA currently ranks second in the CCAA in blocks per set (2.25).
The Golden Eagles boast a variety of offensive weapons. Junior middle blocker Daisy Crenshaw, a two-time CCAA Player of the Week selection, leads the conference with 74 blocks and has rolled up 137 kills while posting a .417 attack percentage. Junior outside hitter Karla Santos leads the Toros with 183 kills, while senior opposite Julia Azevedo and junior outside Alejandra Negron have contributed 159 and 147 kills, respectively.
Cal State LA has dominated the all-time series with the Wildcats, holding a 36-12 edge since 1985. The Golden Eagles have prevailed in eight of the last 11 meetings between the two teams, including a three-set win last season in Los Angeles.
