The Chico State volleyball team's 2021 home opener didn't exactly follow the script the Wildcats had drawn up in an attempt to knock off No. 14 Cal State San Bernardino. But it wasn't for lack of spirited play—the 'Cats kept their attack on full throttle right down to the very last point, making the Coyotes work for everything. Despite a comeback that nearly netted Chico State a third set victory, the Wildcats bowed to the visiting Coyotes Friday 15-25, 17-25, 23-25 at Acker Gym.
The loss—Chico State's fourth in a row—dropped the 'Cats to 4-5 overall and 0-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal State San Bernardino won its third straight to improve to 6-3 on the season and 1-0 in conference play.
Four different Wildcats hitters—Makaela Keeve, Kelley Jacome, Lizzie Wilson, and Zoe DiNardo—registered six kills on the night, with Wilson adding a pair of service aces. Keeve, Jacome, and Bree Rodriguez delivered three blocks apiece, while Brooke Ono led the 'Cats with 22 assists and eight digs.
San Bernardino got an early leg up in the first set, jumping out to a 9-3 lead and forcing a Chico State timeout. A solo block by Keeve and a kill by Makenzie Salva quickly narrowed the deficit to four, only to see the Coyotes go on an 11-4 run to extend their advantage to 20-9. Jacome ripped a kill and Wilson added an ace down the stretch, but it wasn't nearly enough to keep San Bernardino rolling to a 25-15 win.
The 'Yotes grabbed the early lead again in the second set, but a Jacome kill and combo blocks by Jacome/Wilson and Ono/Rodriguez pulled Chico State to within 7-6. San Bernardino refused to relinquish the lead, however, slowly pulling away and building an 18-10 advantage. The Wildcats threatened to climb back into the contest on the strength of back-to-back kills by Wilson and a Keeve service ace, but with the score 18-13, the Coyotes were able to turn back the 'Cats by scoring seven of the final 11 points to ring up the 25-17 victory.
San Bernardino was thinking sweep all the way as it went up 10-3 in the third set. The Coyotes were on top 19-10 when the Wildcats made a hard charge to salvage the set—multiple kills by Keeve, Jacome, and Rodriguez; aces by Wilson and Ali Collins, and combo blocks by Keeve/DiNardo and Keeve/Jacome highlighted a furious 13-5 run to make the score 24-23. But once again San Bernardino stiffened, posting the all-important final point to squeak out the 25-23 win and the match sweep.
The Wildcats are right back in action Saturday at 7 p.m., as they host the Broncos of Cal Poly Pomona at Acker Gym. Fans who are unable to attend in person can follow the action with live streaming video and Live Stats available online. The links are available on the Chico State volleyball schedule page and home page calendar on the Wildcat Athletics website, at chicowildcats.com.
