Chico State volleyball head coach Tommy Gott was looking to infuse some sizzle into his lineup Friday, putting together a number of different player combinations against Stanislaus State to try to even up the week's home-and-home series. The results were very encouraging, as the Wildcats fought toe-to-toe with the visiting Warriors while taking the match to the full five sets, before ultimately dropping a 14-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-23, 7-15 decision at Acker Gym.
The 'Cats dipped to 6-12 on the season and 2-8 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with Friday's loss. With its two straight wins over Chico State, Stanislaus State improved to 10-8 overall and 6-4 in CCAA play.
Lizzie Wilson led three Wildcats who posted double-digit kills on the night, hammering home 17 winners to match her season high. Kelley Jacome and Makaela Keeve each contributed 15 kills and five blocks, with Keeve adding three service aces to the 'Cats' attack.
Brooke Ono dished out 36 assists, with Caitlyn Eichhorst setting up 10 winning attacks. Kennedy Greenwood led the Wildcats with 10 digs while registering a pair of aces.
Things did not start off well in the opening set, as the 'Cats fell behind early and were forced to play catch-up the rest of the way. Down by five, Chico State combined aces by Keeve and Eichhorst and a pair kills by Wilson to pull to within 15-12, but Stanislaus answered with six unanswered points to take control of the contest. The Warriors continued to widen their lead, and despite a couple of late kills by Jacome, Stanislaus was able to cruise to the 25-14 win.
The Wildcats used a late rally to post a come-from-behind victory in the second set. Again trailing early, Chico State erased a five point deficit and caught Stanislaus at 14-all on the strength of two Greenwood aces and kills by Jacome, Keeve, and Wilson. The Warriors regained the lead and were up 21-18 when the 'Cats mounted their successful comeback: an Ali Collins ace, Jacome/Keeve and Ono/Keeve combo blocks, and kills by Jacome, Wilson, and Zoe DiNardo highlighted the 7-2 run that gave Chico State the 25-23 win.
Set three saw the Wildcats stake themselves to an early 8-4 lead, as Keeve floored an ace and Jacome, Ono, Keeve, and Wilson provided kills. The 'Cats were still on top 12-9 when Stanislaus flipped the script and fashioned a 15-3 run to jump in front 24-15. Chico State survived three set points before the Warriors scored the point necessary to secure the 25-18 victory.
The fourth set was a tightly-played affair that featured seven tie scores and three lead changes. With the contest knotted up at 17-apiece, the Wildcats were able to establish the upper hand with four straight points, including three Jacome kills and a Jacome/Lauryn Osendorf combo block. The 'Cats would not relinquish the lead, and though Stanislaus crept to within one at 24-23, the Warriors committed a costly service error that gave Chico State the 25-23 win, forcing a fifth and deciding set.
With the match on the line, Stanislaus State tightened up its attack, scoring the first two points of the fifth set and never trailing. The Warriors extended its advantage to 10-3, and the Wildcats would get no closer than five points the rest of the way. Wilson drilled three kills to keep the 'Cats' heart beating, but it was far too little and far too late, as Stanislaus rolled to a 15-7 win to take the match.
Chico State now takes the weekend off before returning to action next week with a pair of road matches. The Wildcats will be in Seaside Friday, October 22 to take on Cal State Monterey Bay before heading to the Bay Area on Saturday the 23rd to square off with San Francisco State. Both matches are slated to begin at 5 p.m.
