Game 1 vs Menlo
The Chico State women’s volleyball team defeated the Menlo Oaks in their season debut, winning in straight sets, 25-20, 25-16 and 25-23. Wildcats showcased a solid offense through all three sets, crushing 44 kills with a hitting percentage of .268.
The offense sparked from the hands of sophomore setter Claire Nordeen, leading the team with 29 assists. Junior Maria Wahl and sophomore Jillian Davis, both outside hitters, contributed a strong 10 kills each.
The Wildcats faced the Oaks last season as well, clashing through a tough five sets, but ultimately losing 3-2.
This season’s results were much different with the Wildcats defense shining as they collected 49 digs and five blocks, led by senior defensive specialist Jessie Camarillo with 20 digs and junior middle hitter Wyievee Binda with three blocks.
The Wildcats also rallied for five aces, senior Gwyneth Wentzel leading the way with two.
Game 2 vs Fresno Pacific
In the second game against Fresno Pacific, Wildcats were unable to bring home the win, although they managed 33 kills with one ace. Chico supported each other during the game, with 30 assists, five blocks and 39 digs.
In the first set, Chico managed eight ties and five charges leading the game but still ended behind at 22–19. In the second set, the Wildcats were able to jump ahead early, but again, Fresno quickly came back at 7–1. In the third set, Chico didn’t manage to get any lead or tie to come back on Fresno, ending the game at 25–15. In their first set they ended at 27–25, in the second set they ended at 25–21 and in the third set they ended at 25–15.
The kills were played by Kylie Matthews with 10, Binda with five, and Wentzel with five and was the only one who got an ace. The assists during the sets were played by Nordeen with 27, Brynna Geibel with one and Wentzel with one.
The blocks were played by Binda with two, Wahl with one and Nordeen with one. And the digs were played by Matthews with nine, Nordeen with eight and Wentzel with five.
Though the Wildcats lost, these six hardworking young women carried the team throughout this difficult game.
Game 3 vs Westmont
In the final game of the classic, Chico State battled through five sets against the Westmont Warriors, ultimately falling 3-2. The Wildcats stayed close throughout each set, the scores being 25-19, 25-23, 25-23, 25-21 and finally 15-13.
With 71 points on 59 kills and seven aces, the Wildcat offense barely missed the victory needed to leave the weekend with a winning record. As a team, they had a hitting percentage of .169, as opposed the Warriors who slugged .214.
Wahl led the court with 21 kills, as Nordeen also led with 45 assists, which matches her 2024 season high.
Though the offense couldn’t fully match that of their opponent, the Wildcat defense collected 76 digs, which outshined the Warriors 73. Camarillo accounted for 23 of those digs with Nordeen behind her collecting 15.
The Wildcats are looking to bounce back on Friday at 9 a.m. against Dominican, participating in the Redwood Coast Volleyball Classic hosted by Cal Poly Humboldt.
For information about all Chico State athletics or to keep up with the game live, visit the Wildcat home page, or watch through FloSports.
Aiyana Curry can be reached at [email protected] or [email protected].
Malisse Busby can be reached at [email protected] or [email protected].
