HAYWARD—Call it the curse of the long scoring run. The Chico State volleyball team has been stung by the curse many times over the course of the 2022 season, as opponents have gained a decidedly upper hand by stringing together a sizeable number of points, taking control of the proceedings, and making it difficult for the Wildcats to produce winning results. The curse haunted the 'Cats on several occasions Saturday afternoon in Hayward, as host Cal State East Bay cruised to a 25-12, 25-17, 25-12 victory at Pioneer Gymnasium.
Chico State suffered its 11th straight loss to dip to 3-18 on the season and 1-13 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Saturday's victory improved Cal State East Bay's record to 17-5 overall and 10-4 in CCAA play.
Zoe DiNardo and Jane Mcnulty each collected a team-high five kills for the 'Cats, with Grace Shepherd and Nariah Prescott contributing four kills apiece. Brooke Ono and Caitlyn Eichhorst combined to dole out 17 assists, with Eichhorst leading the Wildcats with eight digs on the afternoon.
Two kills by Mcnulty and one by DiNardo staked Chico State to a 3-1 lead early in the opening set. The Wildcats were still up 4-3 when Cal State East Bay went on a 6-0 run to move out in front. Kills by Prescott and Bree Rodriguez brought the Wildcats back to within 10-8, but the Pioneers answered by kicking their offense into high gear, closing out the set on a 15-4 run to roll to a 25-12 victory.
The 'Cats came roaring back to grab an 11-6 advantage to start the second set, highlighted by a Rodriguez solo block, a Rodriguez/Prescott combo block, a Kate Beezer ace, and kills by DiNardo, Mcnulty, Shepherd, and Lauryn Osendorf. Once again a big East Bay run—this time 7-1—wiped out Chico State's lead and put the Pioneers on top 13-12. The Wildcats used kills by Rodriguez and Shepherd to regain the lead at 15-14, but from there it was all East Bay, as the Pioneers generated a 11-2 run to come away with the 25-17 victory.
The third set saw East Bay jump out to the early lead, and it was one they would never relinquish. Kills by DiNardo, Mcnulty, and Shepherd, plus a Rodriguez/Shepherd combo block kept the 'Cats close, but with the score 6-5, the Pioneers reeled off a 6-1 run to extend their advantage to 12-6. Chico State clawed back, combining a DiNardo kill, a DiNardo/Rodriguez combo block, and an East Bay miscue to make it a 13-9 contest. The Pioneers proceeded to score 11 of the next 12 points to go up 24-10, putting the Wildcats on the brink. The 'Cats survived two match points before East Bay's Mia Jordan delivered the kill that game the Pioneers the 25-12 win and the match sweep.
Chico State is back on the road next week, facing San Francisco State on Friday, October 28 before traveling to Seaside on Saturday the 29th to take on Cal State Monterey Bay. First serve for both matches is slated for 5 p.m.
