The good news: the Chico State volleyball team is back home, ready to host its next two matches in the friendly confines of Acker Gym. The not so good news: the two contests will see the Wildcats go up against two of the top teams not only in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), but also in the nation. The 'Cats plan to rise to the challenge, though, as they face No. 13 Cal State San Bernardino Friday at 5 p.m. and No. 18 Cal Poly Pomona Saturday at 2 p.m.
Tickets for both matches are available online, with links available on the Wildcat Athletics website home page schedule and on the volleyball home page. Fans unable to attend in person can follow the action online with Live Stats and live streaming video on the CCAA Network using links available at the same location. Accessing the live video stream requires a monthly subscription fee.
Chico State enters the week looking for its first victory since beating Cal State Monterey Bay on September 16. Since then, the Wildcats have dropped seven straight decisions to fall to 3-14 overall and 1-9 in CCAA play. Last week the 'Cats lost both ends of a home-and-home series against Stanislaus State.
Several Wildcats are still among the conference's top statistical performers. Outside hitter Zoe DiNardo ranks seventh in the CCAA in kills (177), sixth in kills per set (2.95), and eighth in points per set (3.23). The 'Cats' other outside hitter, Grace Shepherd, is 10th among conference hitters with 152 kills, and ninth in kills per set (2.76).
Brooke Ono ranks fourth among CCAA setters with 520 assists on the season, and is third in assists per set (8.52). Lexi Carpenter is seventh in the conference in digs (208) and ninth in digs per set (3.41).
Cal State San Bernardino, which faces the Wildcats Friday, is 14-3 on the year and tied for second place in the CCAA with an 8-2 conference mark. The Coyotes have won their last five matches, including victories on back-to-back nights last week against Cal Poly Pomona. As a result, San Bernardino moved up to No. 13 in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II National Top 25 poll.
San Bernardino boasts four players with over 140 kills on the season. Sophomore outside Ashley Robinson is among the CCAA leaders with 165 kills, while junior middle blocker Jenna Patton has added 143 kills to the Coyotes' offense. Senior middle blocker Lydia Morohunfola and sophomore outside hitter Savannah Hoffman have combined for over 280 blocks. Morohunfola (73 blocks) and Patton (63 blocks) are ranked in the conference's top five for their work at the net.
San Bernardino took both meetings with the Wildcats last season, and have dominated the all-time series between the two teams, winning 50 of 53 head-to-head matchups. Chico State's last victory over the Coyotes was back on October 1, 2016.
Cal Poly Pomona, which comes to Acker Gym following a Friday night tilt in Turlock against Stanislaus State, is also 14-3 on the season and 8-2 in the CCAA. The Broncos saw their 14-match winning streak come to an end last week with the two losses against Cal State San Bernardino. Despite the setbacks, Pomona ranked 18th on this week's AVCA D-II National Top 25 poll.
Broncos' junior opposite hitter Daisy Duke is the CCAA's top point producer, averaging 4.44 points per set thanks to 235 kills, 14 service aces, and 42 blocks. Sophomore outside hitters Madison Novak and Samantha Campion have combined for 346 kills on the year, and junior middle blocker Kaitlin Tucker leads the conference with 86 blocks.
Pomona swept the season series from Chico State in 2021, and leads the all-time series with the Wildcats 30-19.
