Box Score
CHICO, Calif. – The Cal State Monterey Bay women's volleyball team fell in a heartbreaker to Chico State, 25-21, 25-20, 20-25, 20-25, 15-8, Friday at Acker Gymnasium. The Otter drop to 5-6 overall and 2-6 in conference action while the Wildcats improve to 11-3, 6-2 in CCAA play.
“We found out 'mojo' tonight and did the little things we were supposed to,” said Head Coach
Jody Garry. “It is not good enough, and my team knows that but I am proud of how we responded. That's what it's all about for me-how you respond when you get knocked down.”
Senior outside hitter
Rheann Fall (Elk Grove/St. Francis HS) registered a season-high 20 kills and her seventh double-double of the season with 10 digs. Senior middle hitter
Melanie Lashbrook (Truckee/Tahoe Truckee HS) recorded 16 kills and junior
Rachel Freeno (Alta Loma/Alta Loma HS) added 11 kills. Senior middle hitter
Tiffaney Riggs (Vancouver, Wash/Heritage HS) posted five blocks while senior libero
Dionna Lucas (Redlands/Arrowhead Christian Academy) finished with 29 digs.
CSUMB dropped the first set 25-21. After the Wildcats took a quick lead, the Otters nibbled on their heels by staying within four points until a 6-2 run gave Chico State the momentum at the 15-13 mark. Lashbrook and Riggs each contributed four kills in the set.
The second set was a true battle with neither team taking a larger lead than two until the Chico State broke the 20 point mark, capturing the win at 25-20.
CSUMB came out and dominated the next set, winning 25-20. The Otters hit .364 while holding Chico State to a .079 attack percentage. Fall notched five kills on 11 attempts for a .455 clip. CSUMB got kills from four different hitters to take a 5-1 lead and never allowed the Wildcats back in the set.
The fourth set was another battle, with 10 tied scores and three lead changes. CSUMB came out on top, 25-20, forcing a fifth set. Fall registered a season-high eight kills in a single set while nabbing a .538 clip.
It all came down to the fifth and final set in which Chico State took a 7-4 lead. The Otters came within one point three times before the Wildcats racked off six consecutive points to win 15-8.
Chico State's Jessica Leek led the squad with 15 kills and 19 digs while Alex Shurtz chipped in 13 kills.
The Otters conclude their road trip with a stop in Turlock to face Cal State Stanislaus on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.
