Playing back-to-back doubleheaders is an arduous task, especially during the first two days of the season. Cody Hein, women’s volleyball head coach, and his squad were up for the challenge, racking up four wins in four games to open the 2015 season at the Route 92 Showdown in Belmont on Saturday.
The ‘Cats handed California Baptist its first loss of the season at its morning match by scores of 25-19, 18-25, 20-25, 25-21, 15-13. Chico State was led by Olivia Mediano’s 21 kills and 21 digs after coming from down 1-2 to pull out the victory. The Lancers’ big presence at the net and 29 total blocks stymied the ‘Cats early but it was not enough to close the lid on a comeback. Natalie Nordahl contributed 14 kills and Torey Thompson handed out 50 assists.
The matinee match saw the ‘Cats close out a perfect road trip by besting the Urban Knights of the Academy of Art 25-14, 25-20, 25-16. Mediano posted a match-high 18 kills to cap a stellar day of work. First-year player, Kim Wright, posted nine kills and Thompson dished out 29 assists in a match that was delayed 45 minutes due to water leaking out onto the court. Chico State hit at an efficient .290 clip while the Academy of Art only converted at a .071 rate.
With four wins to start the season, head coach Cody Hein now stands two victories away from 200 for his Chico State career. The team will look to get their 13th-year coach a step closer to the milestone on Labor Day in Redding against Simpson University at 1 p.m.
Nick Reddy can be reached at [email protected] or @NickIsReddy on Twitter.
