Wildcats Can Put Dent in CCAA
Tonight I’ll get my first chance to see the Wildcats’ volleyball team in person, at least for a game, this season. I’m looking forward to seeing what this team will look like, what with all its hitters, new-ish approach and a shot to make up ground in the CCAA. Cal State Stanislaus, I dare say, should be a very winnable matchup for Chico State at home, but Friday, the Wildcats will get a strong opportunity to crack that top level of the conference.
They’ll get UC San Diego; the Tritons are the team that knocked off then-No. 1 Cal State San Bernardino last week. Obviously, they’re good, although that 3-0 loss to Cal State L.A. in early September is pretty inexplicable. Interestingly enough for UC San Diego, it’s the only team in the CCAA that hasn’t lost on the road yet.
The Wildcats, at 3-3 in CCAA play, sit squarely in the middle of the conference standings, three games behind upstart Sonoma State, which stands to face a strong possibility of dropping games this weekend with two road matchups at Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino. It’s early, but theoretically, Chico State appears to be in great position to make up at least a game in the standings.
It’s never too early to talk basketball.
At least not for me. Wildcat men’s coach Greg Clink has tentatively agreed to let me update The Litter Box with a running look at his tryouts after first cuts as the first-year coach shapes the team to his liking. I’m excited for this, obviously, and I think it will be interesting to get a glance at who will be the main players for this group moving forward.
Clearly, senior point guard Justin Argenal likely had a spot secured before practices even began, but with the influx of new talent to the Wildcats, I’m guessing there will be a lot of decisions for Clink to make. A look at that process will be the focal point of this, and possibly the women’s team, as well.
Chat with me.
Also, E-R online content editor Ryan Olson has offered to moderate chats with the paper’s assorted columnists, including three of the sports section’s writers, soon. I’ll be one of them, and there will be the chance to give me a piece of your mind on all things Chico State coming Thursday, Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. I’m looking forward to hearing others’ thoughts on Wildcat athletics, and I'll do my best to answer your questions. Definitely check it out; you'll want to bookmark the E-R Web site (as if you haven't already) and visit it to join the chat. Hope to hear from you then.