Chico State Athletics

CHICO – Though the volleyball season was going to end on Saturday for Chico State, the seven seniors made sure their final collegiate match was memorable as the Wildcats played to four sets (15-25, 25-21, 18-25, 16-25) in a defeat to defending NCAA West Region and CCAA champions Cal State LA at Acker Gym.
 
Before first serve was made, the Wildcats celebrated the collegiate careers of Lexi Carpenter, Cassidy Herbert, Taylor Whyte, Zoe DiNardo, Brooklynn Anderson, Lauryn Osendorf and Brooke Ono.
 
Ono came into Saturday on a mission: to try and catch Christy McCune's (1998-2001) 3,321 career assists, which ranks fourth best in Chico State history. While she 34 assists against the Golden Eagles, she will finish her career at 3,303 in her four-year time with the Wildcats. She also had 11 digs for a double-double.
 
DiNardo and her fellow senior Herbert led the effort on the attack, combining for 21 of the team's 31 kills.
 
Whyte finished her Chico career leading the team defensively with 13 digs.
 
Cal State LA, proved to be a powerful on the attack, hitting .302 throughout the day.
 
The second set brought a lot of energy to the Wildcats bench, especially in the end. Both sides had a small lead for a majority of the game. Chico State was down 21-18 when Anderson got the sideout and with Alexis Presser serving, the Wildcats collected all the wins to the set win. DiNardo had three kills during that run.
 
Chico State had to try to climb out of a hole early into the third game. A four-point run helped the Wildcats get the deficit down to 19-17 but Cal State LA won six of the next seven serves to win the round.
 
A 6-1 run proved to be a difference maker in Cal State LA's fourth-set win.
 
The Wildcats close out 2023 with a 6-16 overall record and a 3-15 conference record, placing 11^th in the CCAA.