HAYWARD—The Chico State volleyball team had its back to the wall Saturday, falling behind two sets to none against California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) foe Cal State East Bay. The Wildcats, though, were able to stay alive and win the match's third set by finding that extra gear that has eluded them for the past several weeks. The 'Cats were on the brink of forcing a fifth and deciding set, but the Pioneers spoiled Chico State's comeback attempt, rallying late to win the match in four sets 25-18, 25-15, 18-25, 25-23.
Saturday's setback leaves Chico State with a 5-9 season record and a 1-5 mark in the CCAA. Cal State East Bay saw its losing streak end at six, improving to 6-8 overall and 1-5 in conference play.
Kelley Jacome matched her Wildcat career high Saturday with a team-best 14 kills; Lizzie Wilson added eight winners for the Wildcats, and Makaela Keeve contributed seven kills and two aces on the evening.
Brooke Ono piled up 28 assists and 11 digs for the 'Cats, with Ali Collins racking up three assists, two aces, and a match-high 16 digs.
Cal State East Bay set the tone early in the first set, racing out to a 9-3 lead. Chico State answered with back-to-back kills by Keeve and Wilson, only to see the Pioneers take control of the contest by reeling off an 8-1 run to increase its advantage to 17-6. The Wildcats were able to briefly stem the tide—a Collins ace and three straight kills by Jacome highlighted a 10-4 run to bring the 'Cats to within 21-16. East Bay responded by scoring four of the final six points to secure the 25-18 victory.
After splitting the first six points of the second set, the Pioneers used a 7-2 run to build a 10-5 lead. Chico State combined two Jacome kills with three East Bay miscues to make the score 11-10, and still only trailed by two at 15-13 when the Pioneers finished the set on a 10-2 run to win going away 25-15.
East Bay jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the pivotal third set, but a much-needed 5-0 run by the 'Cats—Keeve, Wilson, and Ono delivering kills during the stretch—put Chico State on top 6-4. Though the Pioneers knotted the set at 7-all, the Wildcats forged back in front, and this time would not relinquish the lead. East Bay crept to within 21-18, but late kills by Jacome and Zoe DiNardo successfully sealed the deal in the 'Cats' 25-18 win.
In the fourth set, East Bay went up early 7-4, but the momentum quickly shifted the Wildcats' way courtesy of a 10-3 run—Collins and Jane Mcnulty delivered aces, DiNardo posted a solo block, and Jacome, Keeve, and Wilson all hammered home kills to put Chico State on top 15-10. The 'Cats were still up 20-15 when the momentum shifted again—this time in favor of the Pioneers. East Bay caught the Wildcats at 22-all, and following a Jacome kill that briefly put Chico State back in the lead, the Pioneers strung together three straight points to win a 25-23 squeaker to take the match.
Chico State returns to the friendly confines of Acker Gym next week, hosting Cal State LA Friday and Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday. First serve for both matches are scheduled for 5 p.m.
