Turlock – The Chico State volleyball team turned in an all-around performance in Saturday's final day of the Stan State Tournament as the Wildcats bested Western New Mexico in three sets (25-15, 25-18, 25-19) to leave Fitzpatrick Arena with a 3-1 season-opening weekend.
 
The Wildcats as whole hit a season-best .286 on the attack while limiting themselves to just 13 errors. Brooklynn Anderson, Zoe DiNardo and Taylor Whyte each had seven kills to lead Chico State. Brooke Ono made 21 of the Wildcats' 30 successful sets.
 
On the other side of the ball, Chico State made 44 digs and five total blocks. Whyte had nine digs, Jessie Camarillo and Ono each had eight.
 
Chico State took control of the first set using two critical runs. The first was an 8-2 momentum to take a 14-8 lead and then the Wildcats were awarded eight of the set's final nine points to take the win.
 
The second set was led by Anderson, who recorded five of Chico State's 14 kills and contributed two blocks. The game was tied at 10 when the Wildcats took five of the next six rallies to take a 16-11 lead. Chico State went on a 6-2 run in the end to take a 2-0 match lead.
 
Chico State would open the third set with a 13-3 lead and never looked back. The 'Cats went 12-of-28 up front while needing to make only 10 digs.
 
With the brief non-conference schedule wrapped up, Chico State will have a bye weekend and then head to Southern California to open CCAA play starting September 15 at defending conference and NCAA West Region champions Cal State LA at 5 p.m. The Wildcats will then head south on the 710 freeway to Carson to play Cal State Dominguez Hills the next day.