Published 2006-11-07T00:00:00Z”/>

Douglas Benton

Nov. 4, 2006The Wildcats ended the regular season with 20 wins and a likely playoff berth against Cal State Monterey Bay Saturday night.

Chico State won three games to none by scores of 31-29, 30-19, and 33-31.

The win moves Chico State to 20-5, 15-5 in the CCAA, while Monterey Bay ends its 2006 season at 14-15 and 8-12 in the CCAA.

“It was good,” Chico State head coach Cody Hein said of the game. “We needed to test ourselves with the games being close.”

Two of the three games went to extra points and there are more positives to take away from the game instead of negatives, Hein said.

Chico State was led in kills by Lindsay Macias and Jamie Houle, who each had 13 for the match. Erica Brick led the team with 32 assists and Lacy Stringfellow led the Wildcats in digs with 26.

“We wanted the playoff mentality to start a few weeks ago and it has,” Hein said. “We are playing a more fast and aggressive style now.”

If the Wildcats are to qualify for the playoffs, they will play at Cal State San Bernardino starting on Thursday, which will limit their practice time this week, Hein said.

There will be a formal playoff announcement on Sunday by 7 p.m.

Douglas Benton can be reached at

<a href= “mailto:[email protected]”>[email protected]</a>