Football Sucks Sometimes, and Wildcat Volleyball is on Fire
Once again, Friday night football — at my high school alma mater, even — left me wishing the E-R would string some writers for the prep beat so I can be more accessible to mine. The thought process isn't difficult. First of all, it rained like The Flood in Paradise, a 41-0 disaster of a game, while down in assuredly toasty Acker Gym the volleyball team dug up its fourth straight victory with a huge 3-2 knock-off of No. 12 UC San Diego.
At least I'm not bitter about it.
What will be interesting now is to see what the Wildcats can do from here. They've basically needed each of the last four matches they've played, and have gotten wins in each to put themselves back in CCAA contention. I know it's early; however, just like in fantasy-league baseball (damn you, Travis Hafner), you might not be able to win your league early, but you can definitely lose it. Cody Hein had said after the win over Cal State Stanislaus that Chico State was in danger of letting the season slip away, just because of the amount of talent in the conference. The Wildcats dodged that bullet for now. Let's see if they can jump back into the top 25.
I'm going to guess that Sonoma State will lose its grip on first today and fall to Cal State San Bernardino, and I'll put money on UC San Diego taking care of Cal State Stanislaus in three. Cal Poly Pomona should also beat Humboldt State. If my skills as a prognosticator are any good (we'll know in a few hours), that would translate to a three-way tie for second place at 6-2, while Chico State is at 5-3 with its next two matches at home against those underachieving Bay teams next week (I won't see it. More football). Realistically, the Wildcats could reel off six in a row.
I'm going camping.
Well, it's not quite training camp once cuts are made, but it will be the beginning of preseason practices for the basketball teams soon — more specifically, Oct. 15 is when the men will start. The Litter Box and the E-R (I just referred to myself in the third person from two mediums) will be stopping in routinely to see how those teams shape up with a host of new players and new head coaches Greg Clink (men) and Brian Fogel (women). Keep your eyes on this URL for more info as it comes along.
Names of fame.
A week from today (Oct. 11), Chico State will hold its 2008 Hall of Fame banquet and 23rd induction ceremony at the BMU Auditorium. The last time I was there for any reason was my freshman year, when I saw Jim Breuer. This might not be as funny or smell like liquor-breathed undergrads as much, but it should be pretty cool. Among the personally interesting highlights for me will be the honorary induction of Puck Smith and the honoring of the Chico State Athletes of the Year, Scott Bauhs and Audriana Spencer. As is usually the case with these things, the old-timers don't necessarily mean a lot to me because I don't really know who they are, with the exception of Antone Curtis. If anything, it could be a chance to get some old-school Wildcat knowledge.
Speaking of Audi Spencer, the former Wildcat great was officially named to join departed coach Molly Goodenbour's coaching staff at UC Irvine last week, where the two will also be reunited with Jade Smith-Williams, although on a redshirt basis. Kind of a cool Chico angle, if you're not the kind of Chicoan who holds grudges against people for leaving town in search of awesome opportunities.