Published 2007-09-18T00:00:00Z”/>
Jay Hite
In its biggest home stand of the season against nationally ranked teams, Chico State split its weekend, dominating UC San Diego on Friday and getting swept by Cal State L.A. on Saturday.
The Wildcats, ranked 22nd at the time, began the weekend with a decisive 3-1 win over No. 16 UC San Diego by coming out strong and keeping the pressure up. In Saturday’s game against No. 18 Cal State L.A., the ‘Cats switched from the team in control to the team fighting to survive and were swept 0-3.
After the team’s big win Friday, head coach Cody Hein was impressed with the team’s performance but not surprised.
“Our theme this weekend was to let the great teams know not to take us lightly,” Hein said. “We have a long way to go before we start thinking about winning the conference championship.”
Although the ‘Cats dominated, Hein has a lot of respect for the Tritons.
“San Diego is located in a great area to recruit,” he said. “They have outstanding coaches, play physical and are highly skilled.”
The coaches spent extra time preparing special strategies for the match, Hein said.
The Wildcats controlled every aspect of the game against UC San Diego, scoring more kills (64-39), assists (55-33) and digs (61-48). Even in blocks, where the team ranks ninth in conference, it had the advantage.
Junior Lindsay Macias, who had 196 kills in the season before Friday, led all players with 19 kills.
“In order to get kills, I have to find the holes and make quick moves,” she said.
Chico State won the first two games, getting off to quick starts and keeping the lead. The Tritons set the pace early in game three, but the ‘Cats went on a late run and brought the score to within two, losing 32-30. The ‘Cats finished off the night with a 30-21 game four victory.
Gillian Heydorff had 17 kills and 10 digs. Erica Brick led all players with 49 assists and Lacy Stringfellow contributed to the win with 20 digs.
Hein commented on the improvement of sophomore Heydorff, who has 184 kills this season.
“She is comfortable in her role on the team and is coming into her own this season,” Hein said. “When you have two strong left sides in Heydorff and Macias you will naturally succeed.”
Expecting to take its momentum into the next game, Chico State struggled early against Cal State L.A.’s strong attack and never regained control, losing 3-0.
The team’s main issues are serving and maintaining pressure, Hein said.
“Our serving was bad tonight,” he said Saturday. “If we have weak serving, it’s harder to protect ourselves against kills.”
The Golden Eagles dominated in blocks with an 11-3 advantage. Freshman Crystal Trifeletti recorded the only block of the game for the ‘Cats.
“We are never going to be a blocking team because we do not recruit that way,” Hein said. “If we recruited only blockers, we would be a boring team to watch.”
Cal State L.A. controlled the game from the start because if its blocking. The Golden Eagles have two very solid blockers, Airess Padda and Ursula Vieira, ranked sixth and seventh in total blocks for conference. Vieira, at 6 feet 4 inches, caused problems for Macias, Heydorff and Trifeletti up front.
Vieira’s size made it very difficult for the hitters to get kills, Hein said.
Junior setter Brick, who put up 49 assists against the Tritons, recorded 29 in Saturday’s loss.
“The basis of our system is strong serving and passing, and we normally succeed by having a very quick tempo,” Brick said. “If we are strong in every game and maintain our confidence, we have a chance at winning conference.”
Chico State is fourth in conference with a 3-1 record. Cal State L.A. improved to 4-0 to regain control atop the conference standings, and UC San Diego is fifth with a 2-2 record. The Wildcats play Cal State L.A. again on Oct. 19 in Los Angeles and UC San Diego on Oct. 20 in La Jolla.
The ‘Cats face off against Cal State Dominguez Hills, one of three winless teams in conference, Saturday. The Toros are last in blocks, kills and assists.
Jay Hite can be reached at <a href= “mailto:[email protected]”>[email protected]</a>
