BOX SCORE Chico State 3, #14 Sonoma State 0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-23) -- Box Score
CHICO, Calif. -- Madelyn Densberger,
Regan Richert and
Ashley Robinson each led with seven kills, but it wouldn't be enough as the 14th-ranked Sonoma State volleyball team suffered a 3-0 loss to host Chico State on Friday night at Acker Gymnasium in Chico. The Seawolves saw their four-match win streak snapped, falling to 20-5 overall and dropping to third place in the CCAA standings with a 13-4 mark in conference play. The Wildcats improve to 12-12 and 9-8 in the CCAA.
The normally potent Seawolf offense was silent on Friday, tallying just 37 kills while erring 18 times in 119 total attacks, a hitting percentage of .160, the lowest output since a five-set loss to then-13th-ranked Regis back on Sept. 7 at the Coyote Classic in San Bernardino. Middle blockers Robinson and
Rachel Andrews were the only ones to have any success offensively, totaling seven and six kills, respectively, without any errors in 28 combined attacks. Robinson also stuffed a career-high six Chico State attacks at the net to lead all players in the match.
The Wildcats set the tone from the get-go, using three Lindsay Quigley kills and a Molly Ratto service ace to jump out to an early 6-1 advantage – a lead they would never relinquish in taking the opening set. Sonoma State clawed back to pull to within 12-10, but Chico State answered with kills by Quigley, Kristyn Casalino, Natalie Nordahl and Alex Shurtz to fuel a 9-3 run to go up 21-13. Late kills by Quigley, Ellie Larronde and Torey Thompson sealed the deal for the 'Cats in the 25-15 victory.
Chico State was just as strong to open the second set, racing out to a 9-4 lead thanks to kills by Larronde and Quigley and a solo block by Shurtz. The Seawolves rallied to catch the 'Cats at 13-all, only to see Chico State post nine of the next 12 points – highlighted by Shurtz, Larronde and Casalino kills and a Quigley service ace – to make the score 22-16. Sonoma was able to stave off two sets points before a Seawolves' error provided the Wildcats the winner in the 25-19 victory.
Sonoma State was the aggressor early in the third set, staking itself to a 9-7 lead. The Seawolves were still up 13-12 when Chico State turned the momentum around, using kills by Larronde and Nordahl and three Sonoma State miscues to jump out in front 18-15. The Seawolves pulled even at 18-apiece, then the two teams proceeded to split the next 10 points. With the score 23-all, the Wildcats ended the match with back-to-back kills by Shurtz and Casalino, giving Chico State the 25-23 victory and the match sweep. It was the first time the 'Cats had swept Sonoma State since blanking the Seawolves in an NCAA regional match on Nov. 20, 2008.
The Seawolves return to the hardwood on Saturday in Turlock against Cal State Stanislaus. First serve from Fitzpatrick Arena is set for 7:00 pm.
