TURLOCK, Calif. – Coming off a win over Dominican late Friday night, the Chico State volleyball team got little rest as it had to return to Fitzpatrick Arena for an early Saturday morning showdown with Jessup.
The Warriors found key rallies in three sets to take the match (23-25, 26-24, 25-20, 14-25) over the Wildcats to conclude Chico State's participation of Stan State's Invitational. The Wildcats also finish non-conference play 3-4 as they now turn their attention to CCAA play.
On paper, it was an all-around effort for Chico State. Kassandra Nall, Cashe Olswang, Gwyneth Wentzel and Kailie Flores combined for 32 of the Wildcats' 40 kills on the day. Flores even had a busy day guarding the front line, contributing to five blocks. The back row was also an all-around effort. Nall and Jessie Camarillo led the digs department with nine each while eight others contributed.
Claire Nordeen dished out 23 assists and Caitlyn Eichhorst had 13.
Jessup (3-3) statistically outplayed Chico State, outhitting the Wildcats .221 to .171. Taylor MacCuish and Madalyn Miller combined for 37 of the Warriors' 59 kills, but Jessup missed the target 27 times.
The Warriors were quick on the scoring front in the opening set, taking a 10-3 lead. The 'Cats did come back on a five-point rally, highlighted by Kylie Matthews' two kills, to tie the game at 16. Jessup capitalized on a couple of attack errors by Chico State to go on a 5-1 run and take a 21-17 lead. Facing set point, the Wildcats got back-to-back kills from Olswang and an attack error allowed the deficit to be one, but MacCuish got the set-winning with a kill.
Set two was a game of cat-and-mouse. Tied at five, the Warriors won 5-of-6 points to take a four-point lead and force the Wildcats to chase them to the finish line.
Chico State was down by two in the third set when a 6-point run gave the Wildcats a 14-11 lead. Jessup got to within one when another rally began for Chico State. The Wildcats won a crucial 5-of-6 points to take a 19-14. The Warriors came back again to shrink the score to 21-20. Jillian Davis got the sideout, back-to-back errors moved the Wildcats into set point and Wentzel got the service ace to take the game.
Jessup got on a 7-point run to take a 7-2 lead and Chico State was unable to recover from that.
The 'Cats remain on the road next weekend, beginning conference play Friday against Cal State East Bay at 5 p.m. The match has been relocated on the other side of the bay in Atherton at Menlo's Haynes-Prim Pavilion.
