ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Chico State volleyball team secured a decisive 3-0 victory over Texas Woman's University on Saturday at the Alaska Airlines Center, with set scores of 25-14, 30-28, and 25-22.
This match was the first of two on Saturday's schedule at the Seawolf Invitational, hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage. Chico State is now 1-2 while Texas Woman's is 0-4. The Wildcats recorded 44 kills and seven service aces, maintaining consistent pressure throughout the match.
Maria Wahl led the team with 11 kills and added 12 digs, contributing significantly on both offense and defense. This performance allowed Wahl to surpass 500 career points, now totaling 509 points, with 14 in the current game. Claire Nordeen orchestrated the play with 32 assists and served three aces, showcasing her versatility. Whitney Fairfield was formidable at the net with five total blocks, tying for the team lead in that category. Kassandra Nall recorded 10 kills, hitting at a .333 percentage over the match.
Chico State opened the first set with a strong start, taking an early lead thanks to Wyievee Binda's kill and a block involving Nall. Binda's contribution was pivotal, as she surpassed 100 career points at Chico State, now totaling 102 points after contributing 7 in the current game. Nordeen's contributions were significant, assisting multiple kills and participating in crucial blocks. The Wildcats capitalized on the Pioneers' errors, including several attack errors by Gracie Erichsen, to extend their advantage. Sophia Heller's service ace at 19-4 further solidified the Wildcats' momentum. The set concluded 25-14 in favor of the Wildcats, with the final point coming from another attack error by Erichsen.
The Wildcats and Pioneers battled through a tense second set featuring numerous lead changes and extended rallies. Wahl contributed significantly for the Wildcats with multiple kills, including a crucial one that tied the score at 28-28. Jillian Davis and Fairfield also added key points, keeping the home team competitive. The set concluded with Nall sealing the victory for Chico State with a decisive kill, ending the set at 30-28.
The 'Cats claimed a 25-22 victory in the third set against the Pioneers to seal the match. Erichsen initiated the scoring with an early kill for the Pioneers, but the Wildcats responded with Nall's kill, tying the score at 1-1. The Wildcats' momentum was bolstered by Wahl's service ace, and they later went on a seven-point run, turning a 13-7 deficit into a 16-13 lead, highlighted by Nordeen's two service aces. Texas Woman's attempted to rally back with multiple kills from Mary Grace King, narrowing the gap to 22-21. However, Nall's decisive kill, assisted by Nordeen, clinched the set for the Wildcats.
The next match for Chico State will take place against host Alaska Anchorage tonight at 8:30 p.m. Pacific to close out both the Seawolf Invitational and the season-opening weekend.
