With 12 conference matches remaining on the schedule, there's still plenty of time for the Chico State volleyball team to reverse its recent fortunes and contend for a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament berth. The Wildcats know that to do this, they need to start putting hashmarks in the win column. Head Coach Tommy Gott's squad will get its chance this week, when they hit the road to take on Sonoma State Thursday and Cal Poly Humboldt on Saturday. Both matches begin at 5 p.m.
Fans can follow the action online with Live Stats and live streaming video on the CCAA Network, with links available on the Wildcat Athletics website home page and on the volleyball home page. Accessing the live video stream requires a monthly subscription fee.
Chico State takes to the road attempting to snap a three-match losing streak, which has left the Wildcats with an overall record of 3-10 and a 1-5 mark in CCAA play. The 'Cats dropped a pair of home matches last weekend, falling in four sets Friday to Cal State East Bay before being swept Saturday by Cal State San Marcos.
The Wildcats are continuing to get solid play from their two primary hitters. Grace Shepherd is ranked ninth in the CCAA with 131 kills, is fifth in the conference in kills per set (3.12), and sixth in points per set (3.31). Zoe DiNardo's team-high 138 kills ranks seventh in the CCAA, and she is also seventh among all conference hitters in kills per set (3.00), and eighth in points per set (3.29).
Brooke Ono starts the week ranked third among CCAA setters in both assists (426) and assists per set (9.06). Lexi Carpenter's 170 digs is seventh-most in the conference; she also ranks seventh on the CCAA in digs per set (3.62).
Sonoma State, which hosts the 'Cats Thursday, is 9-5 on the season but just 2-4 in the CCAA. The Seawolves split a pair of road matches last weekend, dropping a four-set decision to San Francisco State Friday before snapping a four-match losing streak Saturday with a victory over Cal State Monterey Bay.
Sonoma State boasts three hitters with triple-digit kills on the season: senior outside hitter Kiana Richardson (129 kills), junior outside Jaden Krist (112), and senior setter Jen Trephan (109). Sophomore setter Brynna Slayton leads the CCAA with 35 service aces, while Krist, Trephan, and junior middle Leilani Hallman have combined for 104 blocks on the year.
Sonoma State won all three meetings with Chico State last season. The Seawolves lead the all-time series with the Wildcats 47-30.
Humboldt State, which faces the 'Cats Saturday following a Thursday tilt with Stanislaus State, is 1-8 entering the week with an 0-6 record in CCAA play. The Lumberjacks have not won a match since their season opener back on August 25; in fact, Humboldt has not won a set since September 8. Last week the 'Jacks suffered road sweeps at the hands of Cal State Monterey Bay and San Francisco State.
The Lumberjacks are led by senior middle hitter Lindsey McLaughlin, who has 57 kills and 13 service aces on the season. Freshman middle Avery McIntyre has 47 kills and a team-high 12 blocks.
Chico State went head-to-head with Humboldt three times in 2021, winning all three contests. The Wildcats have won the last 10 meetings between the two schools, and lead the all-time series with the Lumberjacks 48-12.
