The road has not treated the Chico State volleyball team particularly well during the 2021 season. Since California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play began a little over a month ago, the Wildcats have won just once outside the friendly confines of Acker Gym. But with the 'Cats currently playing at a high level, Head Coach Tommy Gott's squad is confident it can reverse that trend this weekend, as they travel to Seaside Friday to take on Cal State Monterey Bay, followed by a Saturday showdown in the Bay Area against San Francisco State. First serve for both matches is slated for 7 p.m.
Fans can follow the action on the Internet with live streaming video and Live Stats. The online links are posted on the Chico State volleyball schedule page and home page calendar on the Wildcat Athletics website, at chicowildcats.com.
If nothing else, Chico State is excited to play any team not named Stanislaus State. The Wildcats and Warriors played twice in a three-day stretch last week, with Stanislaus winning in three sets October 13th, then topping the 'Cats in a five-set thriller Saturday at Acker Gym.
As a result, Chico State sits at 6-12 on the season and 2-8 in the CCAA. The Wildcats will attempt to avenge early-season losses to both Cal State Monterey Bay and San Francisco State during September's Seawolf/Gator Classic in San Francisco.
Another productive week has Makaela Keeve firmly entrenched among the CCAA leaders in several statistical categories. The senior middle hitter ranks second in the conference in points per set (4.45), third in aces (31) and aces per set (0.48), fourth in kills (223), sixth in kills per set (3.48) and blocks (50), ninth in blocks per set (0.78), and 10th in hitting percentage (.306).
Brooke Ono remains one of the top setters in the CCAA, ranking third in assists (608) and fourth in assists per set (9.65).
In addition to Keeve, the Wildcats boast three others hitters with triple-digit kills on the season. Junior outside hitter Lizzie Wilson has piled up 166 kills thus far; senior opposite hitter Kelley Jacome has hammered home 148 winners, and sophomore outside Zoe DiNardo has 122 kills on her 2021 résumé.
Cal State Monterey Bay, Chico State's Friday night opponent, is 7-7 on the season but 1-9 in CCAA play (the Otters were forced to forfeit four conference matches due to COVID in late September and early October, which count as "no contests" on their NCAA season record). Since then, Monterey Bay has dropped its last four decisions, losing twice last weekend to San Francisco State.
Junior outside hitter Abby Knapp has racked up 153 kills and registered 34 blocks to lead the Otters in both categories, and ranks sixth in the CCAA with a .353 hitting percentage. Junior outside hitter Kaylie Honberger and senior outside Jenna Tobin have contributed 129 and 118 kills, respectively, while junior middle blocker Mollin Helfrich is averaging 0.78 blocks per set.
Despite losing in its first meeting this season with Monterey Bay, Chico State holds a 27-6 advantage in the all-time series between the two teams. The Wildcats have only lost twice at The Kelp Bed dating back to 2004.
San Francisco State, which hosts the Wildcats following a Friday match against Stanislaus State, is one of the conference's top teams so far in 2021. The Gators are 14-3 overall and in a three-way tie for third place in the CCAA standings with a 7-3 conference mark. San Francisco State has won six of its last eight matches, including the two last weekend against Monterey Bay.
The Gators feature four talented hitters, led by Jessica Haynie. The senior outside has a team-high 197 kills (ranking fifth in the CCAA), and is second in the conference in kills per set (3.79) and third in points per set (4.39).
Sophomore outside hitter Izzy Issak (168 kills), sophomore opposite Trinity Barr (159 kills), and senior outside Drew Morris (122 kills) are also big contributors to the Gators' offense. Defensively, freshman middle Chloe Henning leads San Francisco State with 50 blocks on the year.
Though the Wildcats lost to the Gators back in September, Chico State owns a 44-22 lead over San Francisco State in the all-time series. The Gators have won all 10 of its home matches in 2021, and have beaten the 'Cats the last three times the two teams have squared off in the Bay Area.
