With weeks of grueling two-a-day practices and spirited scrimmages against talented junior college teams now in the rearview mirror, the Chico State volleyball team finally gets to turn its attention to what matters most—regular season play. The Wildcats will travel to Rocklin this Thursday and Friday to officially lift the lid on the 2022 campaign, playing three matches as part of the William Jessup Invitational. 
 
The 'Cats will open play Thursday at 3 p.m. when they take on the Raiders of Southern Oregon, followed by a 7 p.m. match against host William Jessup. Chico State plays its final Invitational match Friday at 11 a.m., squaring off against the Simpson University Red Hawks.
 
All three Wildcat matches take place at Warrior Arena on the campus of William Jessup University. Fans interested in attending can purchase tickets online by clicking this link. Single day tickets are priced at $12 each.
 
The action can also be followed online with Live Stats and live streaming video, with links available at www.chicowildcats.com in the calendar section of the website's homepage, and on the Chico State volleyball schedule page.
 
Tommy Gott begins his third year as Wildcats' head coach, and enters the 2022 season with a deep and versatile squad. Setter Brooke Ono, a two-time All-CCAA selection, returns along with an array of point-producing hitters from last season, led by Zoe DiNardo (184 kills in 2021) and fellow outsides Gretta Kirkby, Grace Shepherd, and Taylor Whyte. Jane Mcnulty, who served almost exclusively as a defensive specialist in 2021, will shift to outside hitter, while Bree Rodriguez (71 kills, 46 blocks a year ago) and Lauryn Osendorf will anchor the middle hitting corps. Caitlyn Eichhorst is penciled in to back up Ono at setter, and could see playing time on the Wildcats' back line as a DS.
 
Also expected to see considerable action for the 'Cats are a trio of junior college transfers: defensive specialist Lexi Carpenter (Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, Washington), middle Brooklynn Anderson (Grossmont College in El Cajon), and outside hitter Cassidy Herbert (Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon).
 
Four true freshman round out the Wildcats' roster—defensive specialists Jessie Camarillo (Whitney High School in Rocklin) and Kate Beezer (San Diego's Christian High School), along with twin opposite hitters Nariah and Nya Prescott (Centennial High School in Bakersfield), all have the potential to provide the team with immediate contributions.
 
Following the William Jessup Invitational, Chico State will play four matches next weekend in San Rafael as part of the NorCal Kickoff, hosted by Dominican University. The Wildcats will then play their first two California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) contests on the road before taking the court at Acker Gym for the first time this season Friday, September 16 against Cal State Monterey Bay.