POMONA, Calif. – The Chico State volleyball team went toe-to-toe with undefeated Cal Poly Pomona Friday night but came up short in straight sets, 25–19, 26–24, 27–25, at Kellogg Arena. The Wildcats pushed the 15–0 Broncos to the brink in the final two frames, hitting .240 as a team with 38 kills against one of the CCAA's top defenses.

With the loss, followed by San Francisco State beating Cal State Monterey Bay later in the evening, the Wildcats (9-13, 5-10 CCAA) were eliminated from postseason contention.

Notable Performances
– Maria Wahl – 11 kills (.476), 4 digs, 1 block, 12.5 points
– Gwyneth Wentzel – 11 kills (.450), 4 digs, 3 blocks, 13.0 points
– Claire Nordeen – 3 kills, 26 assists, 11 digs, 1 ace, 4.5 points
– Sophia Heller – 6 kills, 15 digs, 1 ace, 7.0 points
– Jessie Camarillo – 14 digs, 2 assists
– Wyievee Binda – 4 kills (.167), 1 block, 5.0 points

Match Summary
Set 1 – The Wildcats stayed close through the midway point before Pomona used a 6–1 run to close the frame, 25–19.
Set 2 – Chico hit .355 and held a 24–23 lead before the Broncos rallied to take it, 26–24.
Set 3 – The Wildcats erased a late deficit and forced extra points but fell 27–25.

By the Numbers
– Team hitting: .240 (38–13–104); Digs: 41; Team blocks: 5.0
– Wahl and Wentzel combined for 22 kills on 41 swings (.463 combined)
– Claire Nordeen logged 26 assists, her 13th match this season with 25+ assists
– Chico held the Broncos to one of their lower attack rates in CCAA play (.281)

Wildcat Whispers
– Chico State falls to 19–36 all-time against Cal Poly Pomona
– Eight Wildcat matches this season have featured sets decided by three points or fewer

Up Next
Chico State concludes the road portion of the 2025 schedule at Cal State San Marcos on Saturday at 1 p.m.