SEASIDE, Calif. — Cal State Monterey Bay volleyball matches against Chico State traditionally have been 5–set affairs. Friday night, however, the Wildcats managed to parry CSUMB's final comeback attempt to hold on for a 4–set win, 25–17, 22–25, 25–16, 25–17 in The Kelp Bed.

After the teams predictably split the first two sets, Chico raced to an early lead and never looked back in winning the third. What proved to be the decisive fourth set began as a sideout war. But Chico found just enough traction with a 5–2 spurt midway through the set to open a 15–9 lead.

The Otters fought back to within four points on three occasions down the stretch but could pull no closer as the Wildcats held on to win.

CSUMB enjoyed a strong blocking night, finishing with nine total blocks. Junior middle blocker Victoria Clardy (Westminster/Marina HS) led the effort with five blocks assists. Julia Ashen (North Salinas HS) added two solo blocks and one assist.

The setting tandem of Kelsey Johnston (Ripon HS) and Whitney Hirst (Huntington Beach/Edison HS) spread the ball around with nine different attackers registering kills in the match. Ashen and Jessica Malcolm (Lodi HS) led the way with nine kills apiece. Clardy added seven kills against just one error for a season–best .500 attack percentage.

Rachel Cookus (Thousand Oaks HS) led the back line with 15 digs, giving her 1,269 for her career. She needs just seven more to pass Rheann Fall for fourth place in the Otter record book and 109 to break the Otter record of 1,377 held by Katie Bos.

CSUMB continues its 4–match homestand Saturday night when Cal State Stanislaus visits The Kelp Bed. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.