What better way to kick off a sports season that with a Hawaiian excursion? It won't be all fun and games, of course, but this week the Chico State volleyball team lifts the lid on the 2019 campaign in a special way, winging its way to Honolulu to take part in the Hawaii Challenge.
The Wildcats will play four matches during three days of tournament action. Chico State faces Minot State Thursday at 10 p.m. Pacific time at Hawaii Pacific's brand new home facility, St. Francis Gymnasium (known as The Shark Tank). Friday the 'Cats square off with Hawaii Hilo at 3:30 p.m. Pacific, followed by a contest versus host school Hawaii Pacific at 10 p.m. Pacific time. Chico State moves to McCabe Gymnasium Saturday at 10 p.m. Pacific to wrap up the Hawaii Challenge against Chaminade.
All four matches will be streamed live on the Internet, with links available on the Wildcat Athletics website. Live Stats will also be available online.
The Hawaii Challenge marks the first time Chico State has played in Honolulu since 2013, when the Wildcats competed in the Hawaii Pacific-hosted Hawaii Invitational.
The Wildcats look to take the first step to returning to postseason play following a 14-12 record and a fifth place finish in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) in 2018. Chico State returns 12 players from last year's squad, including All-CCAA recipients Bekah Boyle and Kim Wright.
The 'Cats are carrying a 19-player roster they feel boasts talent, depth and flexibility. The team's hitters are a dynamic blend of proven veterans and exciting new additions. Chico State's back line is as solid as its been in years, with head coach Cody Hein able to utilize seven defensive specialists in any number of combinations to provide quality passing while keeping the ball in play. Returning Wildcats accounted for 121 of the team's 176 aces last year, so serving should once again be a major strength of the Chico State attack.
The Wildcats will go up against a challenging quartet of opponents to open the season.
Minot State, a member of the 16-school Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), begins its 2019 campaign after going 13-17 a year ago. Thursday's match will be the first time the Wildcats and Beavers have met on the volleyball court.
Hawaii Hilo, the first of Chico State's two Friday opponents, finished 21-7 in 2018 and tied for third place in the Pacific West Conference with a 17-5 conference record. The Wildcats and Vulcans have not gone head-to-head in nearly 11 years, when Chico State beat Hawaii Hilo in three sets during the 2008 Premier Challenge in Denver, Colorado. The Vulcans lead the all-time series with the 'Cats 6-1.
Hawaii Pacific looks to bounce back from a 13-15 overall record in 2018 and a sixth place finish in the Pac West. The Sharks lead the all-time series with Chico State 2-1, but the Wildcats won the last meeting between the two teams, a five-set victory in the 2016 D2 West Region Showcase in Turlock.
Chaminade, Chico State's final opponent in the Hawaii Challenge, is expected to be one of the top 30 teams in the nation this season. The Silverswords, which placed just outside the top 25 in the 2019 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) preseason rankings, finished 23-6 last year and tied for third in Pac West play. Chico State and Chaminade met last season in the D2 West Region Showcase in Fresno, with the Silverswords prevailing in three sets. The Wildcats own a 6-3 advantage in the all-time series.
