Thompson to play with her twin at Chico State

Tristen Thompson, a two-time All-WSC choice for SBCC, has accepted a scholarship to continue her volleyball career at Chico State.

The 5-9 sophomore libero from Newport Beach will be reunited with her twin sister, Torey, who has received five California Collegiate Athletic Association honors in her first three seasons. Torey was the CCAA Freshman of the Year in 2013 and Setter of the Year in 2014.

"It's very exciting to get to play with Torey again, we haven't played together since high school," said Thompson, a Communications major with a 3.1 GPA. "We were on the same team ever since we started playing."

Thompson's sister Katey was a three-year standout at UCSB from 2011-13.

Tristen Thompson was the starting libero on the 2015 Vaquero squad that won the WSC North with an 11-1 record and was seeded No. 1 for the South Regional. The Vaqueros won two playoff matches and finished fifth in the state.

"Tristen is one of the most competitive people I have had the privilege to coach,"  said Vaquero coach Ed Gover. "Her leadership skills and the ability to make those around her better is what made her a great player."

Thompson ranked No. 2 in digs in the state with 579 and was named first-team All-WSC. She also had 119 assists and 38 service aces.

"Tristen really came into her own in 2015 as a leader," said assistant coach Lisa Gera. "She was one of our captains and really understood what her role was and exemplified our mentality of 'calm intensity.'

"On the court, she was our rock. She was so steady and consistent for us all year long. She comes from a long lineage of volleyball and we are so excited for her to go on and play with her twin sister at the next level."

Thompson recorded 791 digs in her two seasons and the Vaqueros went 45-10, winning the conference title both years with 11-1 records. Her sister Torey was a junior setter on the 2015 Chico State squad that went 17-14 in NCAA Division 2 play.

"It's been a great experience to play here for two years after coming back from missing a year with knee injuries," said Thompson. "All the girls and the coaches and the friendships I've made are really special. The atmosphere at our games was awesome.

"SBCC has helped me a lot academically and pointed me in the right direction."