LA JOLLA—Two very evenly-matched teams, Chico State and Concordia Irvine, went head-to-head Saturday in the final match of the D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase. It was a back-and-forth affair the entire night, with the Eagles stealing the first two sets and the Wildcats rallying to take the next two. When the dust finally settled, Concordia Irvine prevailed in a grueling five-set battle, as the 'Cats dropped a 24-26, 20-25, 25-23, 24-23, 10-15 decision at RIMAC Arena.
Saturday's loss snapped Chico State's three-match winning streak and evened the Wildcats' season record at 4-4.
Bekah Boyle led the Wildcats' offense with 20 kills on the night, with Kim Wright racking up 17 kills, 10 digs, four service aces and a pair of blocks. Grace Shepherd added a season-high 15 kills, while Lauren Voelker tied her career best with three aces. Brooke Ono doled out 54 assists and piled up 16 digs, with Brooke Fogel leading the 'Cats with 19 digs.
Chico State led for most of the opening set, but was unable to put the hammer down late in the contest. After Concordia took an early 5-3 lead, the Wildcats roared out in front 12-6 courtesy of a 9-1 run, fueled by three Boyle kills and a service ace by Wright. The Eagles crept to within 19-18, but two kills by Boyle gave the 'Cats a 22-19 edge. Concordia Irvine went of the offensive, scoring five unanswered points to go up 24-22. Chico State survived two set points—one on a kill by Evelyn Clonts—to knot up the contest, but the Eagles answered with two of their own to take the 26-24 win.
The Wildcats used an Esti Wilson ace and kills by Boyle, Shepherd, and Makaela Keeve to grab a 10-7 lead early in the second set. Chico State extended its advantage to 15-10 on kills by Boyle and Ono plus a pair of Concordia Irvine errors, and were still ahead 19-17 when the Eagles stunned the 'Cats with a late 8-1 run to post the come-from-behind 25-20 victory.
Concordia Irvine carried the momentum into the third set, jumping out to a 7-3 lead. The Wildcats came out of a timeout to mount an impressive 16-8 run—Boyle, Clonts, Ono, Shepherd, and Wright all contributing kills—to go out in front 18-14. The Eagles rallied to knot up the score at 21-all, but this time the 'Cats would not falter down the stretch. A Wright/Clonts combo block and kills by Wright and Keeve paved the way for Chico State's 25-23 win.
The Wildcats were forced to play catchup almost immediately in the fourth set, falling behind 10-4 as Concordia put together an early 9-3 run. Multiple kills by Wright and Boyle kept the 'Cats close, but the Eagles were able to push the lead back to 18-13. An 8-2 Chico State run—powered by kills from Boyle, Wright, and Sheppard—gave the Wildcats their first lead of the set at 22-21, and with the score knotted up at 23-all, kills by Keeve and Shepherd gave the 'Cats the must-win 25-23 victory to force a fifth and deciding set.
Concordia Irvine grabbed a quick 4-2 lead, only to see Chico State reel off five of the next seven points—three coming on kills by Wright, Keeve, and Shepherd—to put the Wildcats in front 7-6. That would prove to be the 'Cats final hurrah, as the Eagles went on an 8-2 run to streak in front 14-9. A kill by Wright helped Chico State stave off one match point, but a Patience O'Neal kill provided Concordia Irvine with the point needed to win the set 15-10 and the match.
Following Saturday's match, Wright was one of four players named to the D2 West Region Showcase All-Tournament Team.
Chico State kicks off California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play next week. Wednesday the Wildcats are in Turlock for a 7 p.m. match against Stanislaus State, then return home Friday night to take on Cal State Monterey Bay.
