ROHNERT PARK—When the Chico State volleyball team's bus pulled away from Acker Gym Friday morning, the hope was that a little time on the road would perhaps provide the spark that would put the Wildcats back on the winning track. Sonoma State, however, proved unwilling to go along with the plan, and instead handed the 'Cats a frustrating three-set loss (21-25, 21-25, 21-25) at the Wolves' Den in Rohnert Park.
 
Chico State's latest setback—its sixth in a row—dropped the Wildcats to 4-7 overall and 0-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Friday's win helped Sonoma State improve to 5-6 on the season and 2-1 in conference play.
 
Chico State's offense was evenly divided among its hitters—unfortunately, there just wasn't enough of it. Zoe DiNardo registered a team-high eight kills on the evening, with Lizzie Wilson adding seven kills and two blocks. Makaela Keeve posted six kills, three blocks, seven digs, and a service ace, while Kelley Jacome recorded six kills and three blocks.
 
Brooke Ono dished out 21 assists while contributing six digs and an ace. Kennedy Greenwood led the 'Cats with nine digs, while Ali Collins added six digs and a pair of aces.
 
Friday's opening set was a see-saw affair featuring several big scoring runs. Chico State fell behind early 6-3, but scored eight of the next 10 points—Bree Rodriguez hammered home a kill while Wilson, Jacome, and Rodriguez scored blocks—to put the Wildcats on top 10-8. The 'Cats extended their advantage to 15-10, only to see Sonoma State reel off seven unanswered points to grab a 17-15 lead. Chico State used three straight kills by DiNardo to spark a 4-0 run to go back in front 19-17, but outside of late kills by Keeve and Wilson, the 'Cats didn't score again, as the Seawolves used an 8-2 run to close things out and win going away 25-21.
 
Sonoma State jumped out to a 10-5 lead in the second set, but the Wildcats were able to even the score at 15-all on the strength of four Jacome kills, single kills by Ono and DiNardo, and a Keeve/Wilson combo block. The Seawolves went back in front 17-16 and would not relinquish the lead, pushing its advantage to 24-20. Chico State was able to survive one set point courtesy of a DiNardo kill, but a kill by Sonoma's Kiana Richardson provided the deciding point as the Seawolves prevailed 25-21.
 
The 'Cats were forced to once again play catch-up early in the third set, and they did just that—down 5-3, an ace by Ono and kills by Wilson, DiNardo, and Keeve knotted up the contest at 9-apiece. Sonoma State responded with six straight points to go up 15-9, and though Chico State continued to battle, it couldn't get any closer than three points the rest of the way. The Wildcats did not go quietly, using kills by Keeve and Jacome and a Keeve/Jacome block to fashion a late 5-1 run, but it wasn't enough to keep the Seawolves from wrapping up another 25-21 victory, and with it, the match sweep.
 
Saturday, Chico State continues its Northern California road trip, traveling up to Arcata to take on the Lumberjacks of Humboldt State. First serve is slated for 5 p.m.; fans can follow the action on the Internet with live streaming video and Live Stats; online links are posted on the Chico State volleyball schedule page and home page calendar on the Wildcat Athletics website, at chicowildcats.com.