Navigate Left
  • Angeline Stansbury, (Ashlyn Myers), dances with the Nutcracker Prince (Chasen Greenwood).

    Arts & Entertainment

    ‘A Very Chico Nutcracker’ opens Thursday

  • A parody of CupcakKes album Cum Cake

    Opinion

    Deep

  • Let us help you find the perfect gift for students and more at Chico State. Photo by Heather Taylor with Magic Studio, Nov. 10.

    'The Big Dipper'

    Bootstraps, scream jars and friendship bracelets: A Chico State gift guide

  • Ellia Bisker and Jeff Morris pose for a photo. Taken by Krys Fox.

    Arts & Entertainment

    Charming Disaster comes to Chico: macabre, humorous music for the masses

  • Chico State student Hala Saleh holding a sign reading FREE PALESTINE. Photo courtesy Hala Saleh.

    Features

    Three Palestinian students share their perspective

Navigate Right
Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State volleyball holds on to playoff hopes

The+Chico+State+Wildcats+line+up+before+the+game+against+Sonoma+State+on+Friday.+Photo+credit%3A+Ricardo+Tovar
The Chico State Wildcats line up before the game against Sonoma State on Friday. Photo credit: Ricardo Tovar

The rollercoaster of a season that is Chico State volleyball hit a peak at just the right time Friday night. With three games left in the season, and with Chico State being in fifth place and fighting for one of the four California Collegiate Athletic Association North playoff spots, this 25-2, 17-25, 25-19, 25-20 victory over Sonoma State was a season saver.

The Wildcats came in having lost nine out of 10 previous encounters with the Seawolves. This victory puts Chico State at 13-11 for the season and 6-10 in the conference. A half-game back of fourth place San Francisco State and a game back of third place Stanislaus State, whom the Wildcats play on Nov. 3 in the last game of the regular season.

Optimized-DSC03134.JPG
Middle hitter Makaela Keeve attempts to score a point for Chico State on Friday against Sonoma State. Photo credit: Keelie Lewis

“From here on out games are must wins,” Middle hitter Makaela Keeve said. “It’s also a little bit extra pressure; we’d like to think of Sonoma as a rivalry match. We were disappointed we lost to them the first time, so this was kind of our little redemption match.”

This game was won by several players having double-digit kills, it was a real team effort. Keeve led the Wildcats with 14 kills while adding an additional nine blocks. Kim Wright had 12 kills of her own and Bekah Boyle and Kelley Jacome helped out with 11 kills each.

Other key contributors were Hailey Carter who had 48 assists and Brooke Fogel who had 20 digs. It cannot be stressed enough, having lost eight of their last 11 matches, how much this win means this late in the season. Especially in four sets that they looked in control of the entire time.

“I think we were paying attention and we were really fired up before this game,” Freshman setter Carter said. “We were already expecting some of the things that they were doing. We already knew what they run, so I think that helped us. I think this game we just played with our heart.”

Optimized-DSC03206.JPG
Chico State's Bekah Boyle (left) and Makaela Keeve (right) attempt to block the ball against Sonoma State on Friday. Photo credit: Keelie Lewis

With two games left in the season each one will be a must win for Chico State to best assure themselves a playoff spot. Their next game is their last home regular season game on Saturday, Oct. 27 against Humboldt State, who the Wildcats defeated earlier this season.

“We want to go into every match with the expectation that we’re going to play hard, we’re going to play well and that we’re going to win,” Interim head coach David Irving said. “I have to take into consideration the standings but at the same time I don’t want to let that pressure get to my head. One game at a time one match at a time.”

Ricardo Tovar can be reached at [email protected] or @rtovarg13 on Twitter.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All The Orion Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *