ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Chico State volleyball team fell in a tight five-set match to Lenoir-Rhyne with a final score of 2-3 at the Alaska Airlines Center on Friday. The Wildcats recorded 59 kills and 10 total blocks in the match, part of day two of the University of Alaska, Anchorage's Seawolf Invitational.
Chico State is now 0-2 on the very young season.
Claire Nordeen facilitated the offense with 37 assists while also collecting 20 digs. Nordeen's efforts in this match were particularly notable, as she surpassed three significant career milestones: 500 digs, 1,500 assists, and 250 points, with totals of 514, 1,505, and 258, respectively. Whitney Fairfield was formidable at the net, tallying seven total blocks and adding eight kills.
Maria Wahl led the 'Cats with 15 kills and contributed 12 digs, finishing with a team-high 16.5 points. This performance helped her reach a career milestone of 450 kills, totaling 452. Jessica Ortiz dominated the backcourt, recording 22 digs and adding 11 assists, surpassing the 30 digs milestone with a total of 30.
Chico State opened the first set with a steady performance, capitalizing on Lenoir-Rhyne's early errors. The home team surged to a 4-1 lead, highlighted by a kill from Sophia Heller and a block by Fairfield. The Bears responded, closing the gap to 8-7 with key plays by Averie Dale and Morgan Blankenship. However, the Wildcats maintained their edge, with Kassandra Nall and Nordeen contributing crucial kills. Despite a late push from Lenoir-Rhyne that included a service ace by Juliana Donato, Chico State secured the set 25-21, with Nordeen sealing the final point off a set from Heller.
In the second set, the Bears capitalized on early momentum to secure a narrow 25-22 victory over the 'Cats. Chico State initially led 2-0 with kills from Wahl and Nall, but a series of errors allowed Lenoir-Rhyne to gain an advantage. Aeschliman's service run pushed the Bears ahead 5-2, and the team maintained that lead despite a Chico State rally that tied the score at 7-7. Key contributions from Dale and Emmaleigh Allen helped Lenoir-Rhyne extend their lead to 20-16. Although the Wildcats narrowed the gap with late kills from Fairfield and Nall, the Bears sealed the set victory with a final kill by Blankenship.
In the third set, Chico State overcame an early deficit to secure a tense 26-24 victory against Lenoir-Rhyne. The Bears initially surged ahead 5-1, aided by Dale's kills and a service ace from Brooke Aeschliman. The Wildcats fought back with a service ace by Ortiz and a block by Nall and Fairfield, closing the gap to 5-4. Wahl's consistent attacks helped Chico State draw level at 13-13. The set remained tightly contested, with both teams exchanging points. Ultimately, Nall's kill, assisted by Nordeen, clinched the set for Chico State at 26-24.
Lenoir-Rhyne emerged victorious in a tightly contested fourth set against the Wildcats, securing a 25-23 win. The set saw both teams trading points with multiple lead changes. Wahl delivered crucial kills with assists from Nordeen, while Fairfield added to the home team's scoring with effective attacks. However, the Bears capitalized on Chico State's errors and maintained pressure with Allen and Dale each contributing key kills. The decisive point came as Allen clinched the set for the Bears with a kill assisted by Alicia Barbarito.
The 'Cats and the Bears battled intensely in the decisive fifth set, with Lenoir-Rhyne ultimately prevailing 15-11. Wahl opened the scoring with a kill, assisted by Nordeen, but the Bears quickly responded with a kill by Allen. The teams traded points, with Heller and Nall securing kills for Chico State, while Dale and Rachael Chambers answered for Lenoir-Rhyne. A pivotal moment came when Lenoir-Rhyne's Alicia Barbarito assisted Dale for consecutive kills, extending their lead to 14-9. Despite Chico State's efforts to close the gap, the Bears sealed the set with a service error by Wahl.
The Wildcats have a long day ahead of them on Saturday with two matches on the docket in the finale of the Seawolf Invitational. Chico State takes on Texas Woman's University in the morning at 10 a.m. The 'Cats will get to enjoy most of the day before taking on host Alaska Anchorage in the classic finale at 8:30 p.m. Both times are Pacific.
