SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Three games, three wins. The Cal Poly Pomona volleyball team is off to a hot start at the Yotes Classic Showcase, claiming three consecutive wins against nationally-ranked opponents to begin the 2024 season. The No. 21 ranked Broncos took down the No. 19 ranked Seattle Pacific Falcons on Friday night, after defeating both No. 10 St. Cloud State and No. 12 Chaminade on Thursday.
This is just the fourth time in program history that CPP has won three consecutive matches against nationally-ranked opponents, the other three times occurring during the 1991, 1992, and 2008 seasons.
Sophomore Sarah Ybarra has emerged as a significant threat on the Bronco attack, tallying her third consecutive match with double-digit kills at 16. After registering just 36 kills during her freshman campaign in 2023, Ybarra has already collected 50 kills in just two days – all of which were against nationally-ranked competition. Ybarra contributed on defense as well, coming one dig short of a double-double and leading the team with four blocks.
Setter Caitie Mueller racked up 39 assists against the Falcons to increase her career total to 2,239, passing Amy Sodek (1991-92) for the eighth-most assists in program history. Mueller's 10.22 career assists per set also currently ranks third in program history.
The Broncos impressed defensively, with seniors Avery Percival (15), Madison Novak (12), and Samantha Campion (10) each collecting double-digit digs. Campion, a double-double machine in her 2023 All-American campaign, recorded her first of the season against Seattle Pacific with 11 kills.
Middle blockers Alexia Athans and Helen McMullin came up big at the net, recording nine and seven kills, respectively, while teaming up for five blocks. McMullin's impressive .636 hitting percentage led the Green & Gold, while this was the most kills she's had in a match since the 2021 season.
— Cal Poly Pomona Broncos (@cppbroncos) September 7, 2024BOOM! No. 21 Broncos take down No. 19 Seattle Pacific! @CPPVB is now 3-0 on the season with three wins over nationally-ranked opponents 👀
#10 St. Cloud State - 𝗪
#12 Chaminade - 𝗪
#19 Seattle Pacific - 𝗪#WeAreCPP pic.twitter.com/agpqrSzbED
Up Next
The Broncos will conclude the Yotes Classic Showcase with a match against Biola tomorrow, September 7th, at 5:00 PM. Just like today, the match will take place in The Den on the campus of Cal State San Bernardino with a free live stream available on YouTube.
Bronco Bits
- The Broncos are now 8-6 all-time against Seattle Pacific, Friday being CPP's first win against the Falcons since 2014.
- Traci Dahl is now 80-35 (.696) as head coach of the Broncos.
- The Broncos also started the season 3-0 during both the 2021 and 2023 seasons under Dahl. The best start in program history was 19-0 during the 2005 season.
- Madison Novak collected her 700th career kill on Friday night, now with 704 in her career.
Latest All Athletics News
- Mueller Named CSC Academic All-American®Already one of the greatest setters in school history, senior Caitie Mueller added to her distinguished Cal Poly Pomona career on Tuesday morning being named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America Second Team. Mueller is the first CPP volleyball student-athlete to earn the award in 36 years, as Gayle Deisinger was the last to receive the distinction during the 1988 season.
- Kalaya Buggs Named CCAA Player of the WeekCal Poly Pomona's Kalaya Buggs has been voted the FloCollege/CCAA Women's Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Jan. 6-12.
- No. 21 Women’s Basketball Continues Hot Start, Bishop Becomes Winningest Conference Coach in Program HistoryHead coach Danelle Bishop made history on Saturday afternoon, claiming her 197th conference victory as head coach at Cal Poly Pomona. This win makes Bishop the winningest conference coach in school history, passing Darlene May, who had 196 conference wins in her historic 20-year career from 1974-94.
- Cal Poly Clash VictoryIn an exciting Cal Poly Clash showdown, the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos came out on top, defeating the Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks 75-69. This victory moved the Broncos closer to claiming the Cal Poly Clash title, earning them 0.5 points.
- Broncos Battle to the Finish, but Chico State Wins in OvertimeThe Cal Poly Pomona Broncos fell just short in a thrilling 83-81 overtime loss to the Chico State Wildcats in an intense and back-and-forth contest.
- Danelle Bishop Ties Darlene May for Most CCAA Wins in Program History With Big Overtime Victory in ChicoHead coach Danelle Bishop reached a notable milestone with the win on Thursday night, tying coaching legend Darlene May for the most CCAA wins in program history with her 196th conference victory. Bishop, now in her 14th season (15th year) as head coach of the Broncos, owns a career conference record of 196-90, good for a .685 winning percentage. Bishop is already the second-winningest coach in program history behind only May, and with one more win, will become the program's all-time leader in CCAA wins.