Things couldn't be better for the Chico State volleyball team. The Wildcats have played nearly perfect ball at home – winning six in a row while losing just a single set – and have dropped just one decision in the past month to surge to the top of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) North Division standings. Tuesday the 'Cats look to keep winning away from the friendly confines of Acker Gym, as they travel to Rohnert Park to face two-time defending conference champion Sonoma State in the opener of a four match, eight day road swing. The action begins at 7 p.m. at the Wolves' Den.
Fans can follow the action on the Internet with Live Stats via the Wildcat Athletics website. Live streaming video is also available online.
The 'Cats are 6-4 on the road this season.
Chico State enters Tuesday night's contest having won eight of the team's last nine decisions to raise its overall record to 12-4. Thanks to conference victories last week over Stanislaus State and Humboldt State, the Wildcats own a two game lead in the CCAA North Division with a 6-1 mark.
The 'Cats are also pacing the entire conference is several statistical categories. Chico State is first among the 13 CCAA teams in hitting percentage (.244), kills per set (14.05), assists per set (13.18), service aces (112) and aces per set (2.04).
The Wildcats are prominently featured in the CCAA's individual stats. Torey Thompson, who Friday became just the third setter in Chico State history to collect 4,000 career assists, leads the conference in assists per set (10.85). Olivia Mediano is fourth in the CCAA in kills (190) and kills per set (3.58) while ranking eighth in service aces (21) and seventh in aces per set (0.40).
Camryn Rocha, with 166 kills on the year, is fifth in the CCAA in kills per set (3.19). Kim Wright (119 kills, team-high 40 blocks) is tied for third among conference players with 23 service aces and is tied for fourth in aces per set (0.43).
Shannon Cotton is also tied for third with 23 aces and shares fourth place in the CCAA in aces per set (0.43). She also ranks seventh in the conference in digs per set (4.39).
Sonoma State enters Tuesday's action 6-8 on the year, but is tied for second place in the CCAA North with a 4-3 conference record. The Seawolves split their two road matches last weekend, falling to Cal State San Marcos Friday before besting UC San Diego Saturday in four sets.
Like Chico State, Sonoma has put up some impressive team numbers, ranking fourth in the CCAA in hitting percentage (.202), kills per set (12.96), assists per set (12.11) and digs per set (17.38).
The Seawolves are led by middle blocker Rachel Andrews. The six-foot senior has a team-high 133 kills and ranks second in the CCAA in hitting percentage (.377) and tied for fifth in the conference with 50 blocks on the season.
Junior middle blocker Kelsey McIntire has racked up 113 kills and 22 blocks, while junior setter Calan Seitz has produced 101 kills and 17 blocks for the Seawolves.
Sonoma State has won the last five meetings with Chico State and lead the all-time series 39-27. The Wildcats have not won a match at the Wolves' Den since October 3, 2009.
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