TURLOCK – The Stanislaus State volleyball team faced an untimely defeat in straight sets against a strong Chico State team at Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena Wednesday night.
 
The Warriors, now 6-9, 3-3 CCAA, weren't able to hold up against the Wildcats (11-4, 5-1 CCAA), winners of three straight, including an upset over No. 17 Cal State San Bernardion on Saturday. Chico State used tough serving and scrappy defense for the three-set decision, 25-13, 25-16, 26-24.
 
After falling in sets one and two the Warriors came back from intermission rejuvenated, starting off with a 12-3 lead on a seven-point run served by Sarah Schell, and another four-point run served by Maddi Seidl. Unfortunately the Warriors were unable to hold the lead when the Wildcats came back, by rolling off eight straight with Kim Wright serving, to eventually tie up the game at 13-13 en route to the win.
 
Blair Ehrlich led both teams with 16 kills and Taylor Massengale followed with 10 kills with only one error (.450). Seidl racked up 28 assists, and Hailey Gruetzmacher ran the Warriors defense with 14 digs. Ehrlich dug 12 and Paige Walker had 11 digs.
 
Chico State's prolific offense was headed by its 10 serving aces. The Wildcats' front row offense was led by Olivia Mediano with 11 kills. Fellow outside hitter Camryn Rocha totaled eight kills and not a single hitting error. Tory Thompson facilitated the offense with 31 assists and aided the Wildcats defense with 12 digs. Libero Shannon Cotton had 14 digs.
 
The Warriors will back in Fitzpatrick Arena as they seek to settle the score with Humboldt State on Saturday night at 7 p.m.