EAST LANSING, Mich. (August 30, 2025) – Chicago State volleyball officially opened its 2025 season on Saturday, competing against Merrimack in the Michigan State Tournament at the Breslin Events Center. While the Cougars dropped the match 3–0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-14), the opener showcased a resilient Chicago State squad that flashed both depth and energy in front of a spirited neutral-site crowd.
Junior outside hitter
Jocelyn Carter paced the attack with a team-high 12 kills, while senior setter
Leah Linares Castro directed the offense with 16 assists and added a team-best 10 digs for her first career double-double. Defensively, libero
Nayella George anchored the back row with 14 digs, providing steady ball control against a powerful Merrimack offense.
The Cougars' best stretch came in the second set, when they traded points deep into the frame before ultimately falling 25-22. Carter recorded five kills in the set, and George delivered clutch digs to keep rallies alive. Chicago State also gained momentum late in the third set with a 4–0 run fueled by Carter and George, forcing Merrimack into a timeout.
Chicago State (0–1) continues play in East Lansing closing out the tournament tomorrow against host
Michigan State. First serve is set for 2:00 p.m.
