The Chico State volleyball team may have brought back a split of last weekend's two-day road trip, just about everyone involved came away feeling the team had displayed some of its most competitive and consistent play of the season. The Wildcats are looking to keep that positive momentum going in front of the home fans, as they begin a string of four straight home matches this weekend. The 'Cats are set to host Cal State East Bay Friday at 7 p.m., then will welcome Cal State San Marcos to Acker Gym Saturday at 5 p.m.
The Wildcats are hoping to avenge early season losses to both the Pioneers and Cougars. Chico State lost to Cal State San Marcos in four sets back on October 1 in Southern California, then the next night dropped a four-set decision to Cal State East Bay in Hayward.
Fans unable to attend the matches in person can follow the action online via streaming video and Live Stats. Links are available on the Chico State volleyball schedule page and home page calendar on the Wildcat Athletics website, at chicowildcats.com.
Chico State enters the weekend 7-13 on the season and 3-9 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The Wildcats began last weekend's road swing with a thrilling five-set victory Friday over Cal State Monterey Bay, then the following evening gave San Francisco State—one of the CCAA's top teams—all it could handle before falling to the Gators in four sets.
The Wildcats' offense continues to be productive, with their big four hitters—Makaela Keeve (249 kills), Lizzie Wilson (190), Kelley Jacome (174), and Zoe DiNardo (140)—all making significant contributions against the Otters and Gators last weekend.
Keeve ranks in the top five among CCAA players in several statistical categories, including points per set (second, 4.40), service aces (third, 34), aces per set (third, 0.47), blocks (third, 63), kills (fourth, 249), and kills per set (fifth, 3.41).
Wildcat setter Brooke Ono is second in the conference in assists (693) and is fourth in assists per set (9.63).
Cal State East Bay comes to Acker Gym sporting an 8-12 overall record and 3-9 mark in CCAA play. The Pioneers have dropped their last three matches and are in search of their first win in over two weeks. Last weekend, East Bay played down in Southern California, losing in five sets to Cal State Dominguez Hills before being swept by Cal State LA.
Like the Wildcats, the Pioneers feature four hitters who've piled up triple-digit kills on the season: junior outside hitter (and Marquette University transfer) Breyan Ashley (204), freshman middle Mia Jordan (169), junior opposite Kara Green (158), and freshman outside Alexandria Gloria (129).
Though the Wildcats lost to East Bay earlier this month, Chico State still holds a sizeable 35-15 lead in the all-time series between the two teams. The Pioneers, however, have won four of the last six matches with the Wildcats.
Cal State San Marcos, which comes to Chico Saturday following a Friday night match against Stanislaus State, begins the week with a record of 10-8 and is in sixth place in the CCAA with a 7-5 conference mark. The Cougars split a Southern California road swing last weekend, losing Friday to Cal State LA before bouncing back the next night with a four-set victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills.
Kassy Doering is the top offensive threat of Cal State San Marcos. The senior middle blocker is among the CCAA leaders in kills (207), kills per set (3.23), hitting percentage (3.42), blocks (58), and points per set (3.96).
Four other Cougars hitters—freshman outside Stephanie Adams, junior middle Kiora Ridgeway, sophomore outside Emily Vander Weide, and freshman outside Kelsey Rasmussen—each have produced over 100 kills on the season.
San Marcos leads the all-time series against Chico State, winning five of eight meetings dating back to 2015. Including their early season win over the Wildcats, the Cougars have won four of the last five meetings.
Health and Safety Protocols
Please be aware of the following health and safety measures for intercollegiate athletic events held on the campus of Chico State:
- Venue capacity is limited to 50% of the listed capacity for each facility.
- Spectators must follow campus health and safety guidelines: symptom check and mask indoors; mask outdoors where physical distancing cannot be achieved.
- Spectators will be limited to seating areas (bleachers and stands).
- At the end of the competition, spectators are asked to leave the venue immediately and wait outside the venue to greet participants.
- No spectators are allowed in team areas, including the playing area, bench, hallways, athletic training room, locker rooms, etc.
