The Wildcats lost both games on Friday’s doubleheader at the Western Oregon Invitational. They suffered their first loss of the season to the Concordia University Cavaliers in the morning 2-3 and lost again to the University of Wisconsin 2-3 in the later game.

The ‘Cats are now 8-2 for the season.

Game 1: The game wasn’t decided until the fifth and final set.

Set 1: The Cavaliers jumped out to a 13-5 lead and never looked back. The ‘Cats rallied back to bring it within four at 16-20, it but wasn’t enough. Concordia finished off to win 25-21.

Set 2: The Wildcats still couldn’t find their footing, quickly going down 7-16. Again they rallied to get to within three at 20-23, but the Cavaliers finished them off with a score of 25-22

Set 3: Chico State wouldn’t go down without a fight, taking a 16-12 lead early. The ‘Cats built on their lead, leading 24-18 before winning the set, 25-19.

Set 4: With their backs against the wall, the Wildcats rallied once more to take another set. The set went back and forth. The Cavaliers were down 11-19 to the ‘Cats. Concordia then rallied to make it 20-23. The ‘Cats then finished off the set to win 25-21.

Set 5: The final set was another back and forth. The Cavaliers came out to take a 10-6 lead until the ‘Cats brought it within one at 13-14, until Concordia ultimately won 13-15.

Sophomore Olivia Mediano led the team with 21 kills, and an ace. Senior Hannah Wilkins was right behind her with 15 kills.

Game 2: In another 5-set game, the ‘Cats came up just short, suffering their second loss of the day.

Set 1: The set was close, with both teams tied at 10. The ‘Cats pulled away, going up 20-14. The teams went back and forth until the Wildcats finished them off to win 25-19.

Set 2: Another close set, the set went into overtime. Both teams were tied at 24 when Chico State scored two straight to take the second set 26-24.

Set 3: Again the set went into overtime. Tied up at 25, the Rangers scored two straight to prevent the sweep and took the set 27-25 over the ‘Cats.

Set 4: The Rangers continued their momentum and quickly took a commanding 18-11 lead. They easily finished off the ‘Cats 25-16 to force a fifth set.

Set 5: The final set was close early, with both teams tied at three. The Rangers pulled away to lead 11-6 then finished off the ‘Cats to take the game 15-11.

Mediano was tied for the lead with senior Shannon Boling who had 16 kills. Mediano also added a block and an ace, and Boling had two blocks.

The Wildcats play their home opener tonight starting CCAA against Cal State University East Bay at 7 p.m. in Acker Gym.

Nick Martinez-Esquibel can be reached at [email protected] or @THENickMartinez on Twitter.