Box Score CHICO—Humboldt State battled through four sets against Chico State, but ultimately suffered a 1-3 loss (25-9, 25-20, 21-25, 25-19) to the Wildcats in California Collegiate Athletic Association volleyball action Saturday night on the road.
The Jacks return home still looking for their first conference win with an 0-3 record in CCAA play, 1-9 overall. The Wildcats remain undefeated in conference play at 2-0, 8-1 overall, as they celebrate head coach Cody Hein's 200th career collegiate victory.
Chanel Washington led the attack for the Lumberjacks, putting down 11 kills, but
Allison Drobish posted the highest attack percentage at .250 off three kills and no errors. Defensively,
Alexa Rosendale and
Tiffany McCray each racked up 15 digs.
Kelci Renshaw, a second-set substitute, turned out to be a key player in the match and tallied 26 assists and had three service aces.
Even without All-American outside hitter Jessica Leek, the Wildcats ended the night with 47 kills and a .174 attack percentage. The Wildcats were paced by Lindsay Quigley, who in the first set was eight-for-eight on attacks and ended the night with 13 kills and a .632 attack percentage.
From the beginning of the first set, it was clear the Wildcats meant business. Chico State powered through to take the set 25-9, limiting HSU to just two kills, put down by Ashley Neal and Merry Akema. The rest of the Jacks' seven points came from service and attacking errors by the Wildcats.
Humboldt State pulled it together in the second set to tie the game at 5-5. The Jacks remained close to the Wildcats and were able to gain a three-point lead and tie the score four times. Later in the set, tied at 20-20, the Wildcats took control and blasted four kills to take the lead. An attack error by Renshaw ended the set in favor of the Wildcats, 25-20.
After a short break HSU returned to the court looking like a whole new team. Renshaw was all over the court in third set setting the ball up for multiple kills by Rosendale, Washington and Ackema. The Jacks grabbed an early 10-6 lead and retained the lead for the rest of the set to take it 25-21 and extend the match into a fourth set.
Trying to reel the game back into their hands, the Wildcats entered the fourth set looking to stop the Jacks' momentum. Chico grabbed the lead and held it throughout the whole set, keeping HSU at least one point behind. The Jacks' fought to stay close with Chico State, but fell behind after tying the set at 16-16. Errors plagued HSU's attack in the end, resulting in the Wildcats claiming the last set 25-19.
The Jacks will have a few days to recover from the two losses suffered this weekend, hoping to bounce back at home as they host Cal State San Bernardino and UC San Diego on Thursday and Saturday nights, respectively.
