The Chico State volleyball team was officially eliminated from postseason contention last weekend, but the Wildcats are still heading into the final weekend of the regular season intending to make a major statement. The 'Cats will have the chance to take down not one, but two nationally-ranked teams when they travel to Southern California to face No. 19 Cal Poly Pomona Friday, followed by a season-ending showdown with No. 3 Cal State San Bernardino. Both matches are scheduled to get underway at 7 p.m.
 
Fans can follow the action online via streaming video and Live Stats, with the links available on the Chico State volleyball schedule page and home page calendar on the Wildcat Athletics website, at chicowildcats.com.
 
Chico State played its final two home matches of the 2021 campaign last weekend, sweeping Humboldt State on Friday (and breaking a 31-year-old single-match program record with a .515 team hitting percentage) before coming up just short Saturday at Acker Gym, dropping an exciting five-set contest to Sonoma State.
 
This weekend marks the first time the Wildcats have seen Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino since the opening of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) conference schedule back in mid-September. The Coyotes defeated the 'Cats in three sets September 17 at Acker Gym, with the Broncos sweeping Chico State on September 18.
 
If that isn't enough incentive to go out strong, the Wildcats have major upset on their "things to do" list this weekend. Cal State San Bernardino has won 18 in a row and is currently ranked No. 3 in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II Coaches Top 25 poll, while Cal Poly Pomona sits at No. 19 in the national rankings.
 
Chico State has plenty of firepower to get the job done. The 'Cats have three different hitters with at least 200 kills on the season: Makaela Keeve (a career-high 295), Kelley Jacome (a career-best 217), and Lizzie Wilson (215). Zoe DiNardo has contributed 176 kills in her first year as a Wildcat.
 
Keeve currently leads the CCAA in blocks (84) and ranks second among all conference players in points per set (4.34), third in blocks per set (0.95), fourth in kills and service aces (35), sixth in kills per set (3.35), and seventh in aces per set (0.40). Keeve is also closing in on a personal milestone heading into the final weekend of play, needing a total of 20 kills to reach 1,000 in her Wildcat career.
 
Brooke Ono is third among CCAA setters in assists (841) and fourth in assists per set (9.67). Kennedy Greenwood ranks fifth in the conference in service aces (34) and tied for eighth in aces per set (0.39).
 
Cal Poly Pomona, which hosts the Wildcats Friday, is 20-3 on the season and in the midst of a six-match winning streak. The Broncos, currently in second place in the CCAA with a 13-3 conference record, needed five sets to dispose of Cal State East Bay last Thursday, but were a four-set winner Saturday against Cal State San Marcos.
 
Pomona's offense is powered by sophomore opposite hitter Daisy Duke (273 kills), and sophomore outsides Jazzmin Parrish (231 kills) and Jazmyn Wheeler (217 kills). Sophomore middle blocker Kaitlin Tucker has played only 60 sets this season, but has racked up 59 blocks and boasts a .343 hitting percentage. Senior setter Kira Zimmerman is second in the CCAA in assists (846), assists per set (10.32), and service aces (38).
 
Cal Poly Pomona owns a 29-19 lead in the all-time series against the Wildcats. The last time Chico State beat the Broncos was on the road, sweeping Pomona October 28, 2017 at Kellogg Arena.
 
The 'Cats catch San Bernardino at the end of a busy week for the Coyotes. Tuesday, the 21-3 'Yotes beat Sonoma State in five sets; Friday San Bernardino takes on Stanislaus State before squaring off against Chico State Saturday night. The defending Division II national champions, San Bernardino has clinched the top spot (and a first round tournament bye) in the CCAA in 2021, boasting a perfect 16-0 conference record. Last week, the Coyotes swept a pair of road matches, defeating Cal State San Marcos and Cal State East Bay.
 
The Coyotes are led by the reigning Division II National Player of the Year, Alexis Cardoza. The senior outside hitter is having another tremendous season, leading the CCAA in kills (343), kills per set (3.99) and points per set (4.52). Cardoza is complemented by junior outside hitter Melissa Garciglia (211 kills), junior outside Asia Clarke (195 kills), and junior middle Jalyn Hayes (184 kills and a CCAA-high 90 blocks). Sophomore setter Marlee Nunley leads the conference in assists (955) and assists per set (11.10).
 
San Bernardino has dominated the all-time series with the Wildcats, winning 49 or their 52 meetings dating back to 1994. Chico State has beaten the Coyotes just once at Coussoulis Arena (in September, 1995) during that span.