CHICO, Calif. – Looking flat in the first two sets, the Chico State volleyball team ignited the cylinders and won the third round and came up short in forcing a deciding set as Cal State San Bernardino held off the Wildcats in four games (18-25, 15-25, 25-20, 21-25) in the true home opener at Acker Gym Friday evening.
 
After hitting a combined .148 in the first two games, including 20 kills and 16 errors, the Wildcats (6-6, 3-2 CCAA) returned from the long break and made an improvement on the attack. They went on to hit .272 in the third and fourth games with 33 total kills and 11 errors.

Chico State ended the day hitting .184 on the evening while San Bernardino (8-4, 4-1 CCAA) recorded .250 on the attack.
 
Kassandra Nall logged in 17 kills and Cashe Olswang contributed to 13, freshman Claire Nordeen recorded 45 assists to shatter her previous season-high mark of 35. She also led the team with 13 digs to complete a double-double night. Jessie Camarillo had 10 digs as well.
 
The Coyotes were led by Ashley Robinson, who had 20 kills and 10 digs.
 
Down two games to none, Chico State appeared to be on the path of a sweep when San Bernardino won five straight serves to take a 6-2 lead. That all changed when the Wildcats went on a 10-2 run to take a four-point lead. Olswang and Jillian Davis each had three kills during that run. The difference in the third round came later, when the Wildcats scored four straight points to take a 19-14 lead. The Coyotes got to within two points, but the Wildcats was able to get to the finish line and force a fourth game.
 
Chico State was behind by two points midway through the fourth game when a 5-1 run put the Wildcats in front 18-16. The two sides kept it close until the Coyotes scored four straight points to clinch the match.
 
The Wildcats return to Acker Gym on Saturday to play San Francisco State at 5 p.m. The Gators come to Chico after sweeping Stanislaus State in Turlock tonight.