It's officially "dig down deep" time for the Chico State volleyball team. Six matches remain in the regular season, and while still in good position to earn a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament berth, the clock is ticking for the Wildcats to put a halt to a losing streak that is making a postseason appearance a little dicier than desired. This week the 'Cats take on Humboldt State Friday and Sonoma State Saturday in a pair of important North Division matchups, with both contests getting underway at 7 p.m.
Fans can follow the action on the Internet with Live Stats, available through the Wildcat Athletics website. Friday's Humboldt State match will also feature live streaming video online.
Chico State enters the weekend 10-10 on the season, and is 6-6 in CCAA play, leaving the Wildcats in a tie with Sonoma State for third place in the North Division standings. The 'Cats are trying to snap their current four-match losing streak, which includes home losses last weekend to Cal State Dominguez Hills and No. 24 Cal State LA.
Chico State is 7-7 on the road this season.
Despite its recent struggles, Chico State continues to lead all CCAA teams in kills (1,058) and assists (993).
Individually, Kim Wright is second in the CCAA in kills (277), kills per set (3.51), and points per set (4.40). The senior, who last weekend became Chico State's all-time service ace leader, ranks sixth in the conference in aces (28) and sixth in hitting percentage (.348).
Brooke Ono is the top setter in the CCAA, leading the conference in both assists (826) and assists per set (10.87). The true freshman ranks 18th among all Division II players in assists per set, and 40th in total assists.
Brooke Fogel heads into the weekend No. 7 in the CCAA in digs (266) and ninth in digs per set (3.59).
Humboldt State, which entertains the 'Cats Friday at Lumberjack Arena, is 5-13 on the season and mired in sixth place in the CCAA North Division with a 1-10 conference record. The 'Jacks have dropped 10 straight decisions, the latest coming last weekend at home against Cal State San Marcos and UC San Diego.
The Lumberjacks' scheduled Tuesday contest with Cal State East Bay was postponed due to a PG&E power shutdown in Humboldt County.
Humboldt State is just 1-5 this season on its home court, Lumberjack Arena.
Friday marks the second time the Wildcats and Lumberjacks have tangled in the 2019 campaign. In the first meeting, Chico State beat Humboldt in four sets October 5 at Acker Gym.
Sophomore outside hitter Lenox Loving leads the 'Jacks' offensive attack with 180 kills on the season. Junior outside Summer Hansen has contributed 169 kills, while junior outside Lexi Riggs and senior middle blocker Emma Flewell have combined for 213 kills and 63 blocks.
Chico State has won the last six matches against Humboldt State and leads the all-time series 44-12.
Sonoma State is 13-7 overall and 5-5 in the CCAA North Division, and is looking to secure a season sweep of the Wildcats on Saturday. The Seawolves beat Chico State in four sets October 4 at Acker Gym.
Like the Wildcasts, Sonoma State is also hoping to mount a strong regular season finish, but due to nearby wildfires and PG&E power shutoffs, the Seawolves haven't been on the court since beating UC San Diego on October 24, snapping a four-match losing streak. Since then, Sonoma has had matches against Cal State San Marcos and San Francisco State cancelled, and a scheduled contest this Friday vs. Stanislaus State has been postponed until Sunday.
Sonoma State is tough to beat at home, as evidenced by its 10-3 record this season at The Wolves' Den.
The Seawolves feature several productive hitters. Senior outside Tate Battistini has racked up 209 kills, with senior outside Kiana Richardson and freshman outside Bailey Palestini contributing 189 and 178 kills, respectively. Freshman setter Jenn Trephan is averaging 7.91 assists per set while collecting 129 kills and 45 blocks, while junior middle blocker Adriana Baysinger boasts 99 kills and a team-high 48 blocks.
Sonoma State has won 10 of the last 12 meetings with Chico State to open up a 44-29 advantage in the all-time series between the two teams.
