October's four-match losing streak that threatened to derail the Chico State volleyball team's 2019 season is officially a distant memory, and its now full steam ahead in its pursuit of a spot in the upcoming California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament. The Wildcats defeated San Francisco State Wednesday night at Acker Gym, and in the process grabbed a share of first place in the conference's North Division with an exciting 25-23, 23-25, 25-21, 25-7 victory.
The win is Chico State's third straight as the Wildcats improve to 13-10 on the season. Chico State's 9-6 conference record ties the 'Cats with Stanislaus State for the top spot in the North Division, and as fate would have it, the Wildcats and Warriors go head-to-head for sole possession of first place this Saturday in Chico State's final home match of the season.
The 'Cats came out swinging against a San Francisco State team also vying for the division title and a conference tournament berth. Chico State posted an impressive .336 hitting percentage Wednesday, and dropped a single match season-high 14 service aces on the Gators, as San Francisco State slipped to 14-8 overall and 7-6 in CCAA play.
Kim Wright led the charge for the Wildcats with 15 kills while adding a pair of service aces. Makaela Keeve floored 14 winners, piled up seven blocks, and delivered a trio of aces; Kelley Jacome and Grace Shepherd had nine and eight kills, respectively; and Bekah Boyle contributed seven kills and three blocks on the night. Brooke Ono dished out 50 assists and racked up three aces for the 'Cats; Brooke Fogel delivered a pair of aces and a match-high 13 digs, and Esti Wilson landed four aces in a match for the fourth time in her Chico State career.
The Wildcats fell behind early in the first set, as San Francisco State built an 11-7 lead. A 14-7 Chico State run—highlighted by aces from Keeve, Ono, and Fogel, a Keeve solo block, and kills by Keeve, Wright, Shepherd, and Jacome—propelled the 'Cats in front 21-18. The Gators were able to stave off two set points, but Wright came through with the kill that gave Chico State the 25-23 win.
The second set featured 13 lead changes and no larger than a two-point lead for either team until Chico State snapped a 17-all tie with kills by Shepherd, Wright, and Keeve to put the Wildcats on top 21-18. This time, however, the 'Cats couldn't hold the late lead, as San Francisco State rebounded with a 7-2 run to steal a 25-23 victory.
The third set was another nip-and-tuck affair. San Francisco State went up 11-8, only to see Chico State roar out in front 16-14 on the strength of an 8-3 run—Fogel landed an ace, while Keeve and Jacome each registered kills and combined for a point-scoring block. The Gators came back to knot up the contest at 18-all, but the 'Cats regained the lead for good courtesy of kills by Wright, Keeve, and Jacome. A San Francisco State miscue capped off Chico State's late 7-3 run to give the Wildcats the 25-21 victory.
Chico State carried the momentum over into the fourth set, and were never seriously challenged by the Gators. The Wildcats wasted no time building a double-digit lead—a pair of Wright aces and kills by Boyle, Wright, Keeve, Shepherd, and Jacome put Chico State comfortably in front 14-3. San Francisco State could not recover, as the 'Cats put the pedal to the metal with a late 7-1 run—Wilson landing an ace, with Shepherd and Wright each adding a pair of kills—to give Chico State the resounding 25-7 win and the match victory.
The Wildcats and Stanislaus State (14-8, 9-6 CCAA) get underway Saturday at 7 p.m. It's also Senior Night, so if you're planning to attend in person, come to Acker Gym early as Esti Wilson, Brooke Fogel, Bekah Boyle, and Kim Wright are honored in a special pre-match ceremony.
