The Chico State volleyball team knew it had its hands full on the first homestand of the 2021 season. The Wildcats' first two opponents came into Acker Gym both nationally ranked, but Head Coach Tommy Gott's squad refused to go quietly and proved themselves a very worthy adversary. Unfortunately for the 'Cats, it wasn't reflected in the final results. After bowing to No. 14 Cal State San Bernardino Friday, Chico State fell victim to No. 25 Cal Poly Pomona Saturday, dropping a three-set decision 21-25, 25-27, 16-25.
After winning four of its first five decisions on the year, Chico State has now dropped five straight matches to fall to 4-6 overall and 0-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). With Saturday's win, Cal Poly Pomona kept its 2021 record unblemished, improving to 9-0 on the season and 2-0 in CCAA play.
Kelley Jacome turned in one of the finest performances of her Wildcat career Saturday, leading the team with 13 kills while posting a sparkling .423 attack percentage. Makaela Keeve contributed 12 kills, three service aces, and three blocks to the 'Cats' cause; Lizzie Wilson collected six non-returnables, while Zoe DiNardo and Bree Rodriguez collected five kills apiece.
Brooke Ono dished out 35 assists for the Wildcats, with Kennedy Greenwood leading the team with a dozen digs.
Cal Poly Pomona set the tone in the opening set, jumping out to an early 7-2 advantage. Chico State closed to within four, but the Broncos were able to soon stretch their lead to 15-8. The Wildcats came back to knot up the contest at 17-all with a spirited 9-2 run, highlighted by kills from Keeve, Ono, and Rodriguez, and combo blocks by Keeve/Ono and Jacome/Rodriguez. With the score 18-apiece, Pomona scored the next three points and were never headed—despite late kills by Keeve and DiNardo, the Broncos held on to win the set 25-21.
The night's second set was the most exciting, featuring 13 tie scores and five lead changes. Chico State grabbed a 7-4 lead on the strength of two Keeve aces and kills by Keeve, Jacome, Wilson, and Rodriguez, but Pomona answered with a 6-2 mini-run to move out in front 10-9. The Broncos were up 16-13 when the Wildcats came out of a timeout to score nine of the next 12 points—Jacome collecting four kills during the run—to take a 22-19 lead. The Broncos rebounded with a 5-1 run to reach set point, and though the 'Cats tied up the score twice to stay alive thanks to kills by Ono and Wilson, Pomona strung together a kill and a block to provide the points necessary for pulling out the 27-25 victory.
Wanting nothing to do with a Wildcats comeback bid, the Broncos promptly sprinted out to a 10-4 lead in the third set. Though Chico State continued to battle, it was unable to put a lengthy run together to climb back into the contest. The 'Cats were able to reduce the deficit to five at 18-13, but Pomona used a 7-3 run to end the proceedings, securing the 25-16 win and the match sweep.
Chico State hits the road next week for a pair of conference matches. Friday the Wildcats will be Rohnert Park to face Sonoma State, followed by a Saturday showdown in Arcata against Humboldt State. Both matches are scheduled to get underway at 5 p.m.
