Streak Snapped, No. 3 Volleyball Suffers First Loss in Over Two Months
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – The Cal Poly Pomona volleyball team did something they haven't done in over two months on Thursday night – lose a match. The team's historic 18-game winning streak came to an end against Cal State San Bernardino by a final score of 3-1, officially marking an end to the second-longest winning streak in program history that started on September 13th. They came one game short of tying the program record of 19 straight victories, set during the 2005 season.
It was also the team's first conference loss of the season. Though CPP has already secured a regular season title and a bye in the CCAA Tournament with a 16-1 conference record, they are still just one win away from breaking the program record for most CCAA wins in a season.
The Broncos have been utterly dominant since the start of CCAA play, outscoring opponents 48-4 in sets won entering Thursday. CSUSB nearly doubled that total with the four-set win, as CPP is now 49-7 in sets won in conference. Cal Poly Pomona had a thrilling set one victory by a score of 27-25 to open the match in Coussoulis Arena. However, the Yotes responded quickly with three straight wins by scores of 25-18, 25-21, and 25-22 to snap the Broncos' win streak.
Sarah Ybarra and Samantha Campion led the team with 19 and 17 kills, respectively, while Ybarra, Charlotte Koerber, and Avery Percival each logged double-digit digs. The Coyotes shined at the net, recording an impressive 15 total blocks on CPP's attacks, the most of a Bronco opponent all season. The Broncos, on the other hand, tied their fewest of the season with four.
The team swung at a season-low clip of .155, their only match under .200 this season. Despite inefficient attacks, the team kept plays alive with 80 digs, their second-most of the season.
Caitie Mueller moved up to fifth on the all-time assists list, while also becoming the fifth Bronco in school history to record 3,000 assists.
Up Next
The Broncos will conclude the regular season with arguably their biggest match of the season on Saturday, traveling to San Francisco State. The Broncos were ranked No. 1 in the west region rankings and the Gators were ranked No. 2, potentially foreshadowing a west regional finals matchup in the coming weeks.
Bronco Bits
- The Broncos are now 29-50 (.380) all-time against Cal State San Bernardino.
- Traci Dahl is now 99-37 (.728) as head coach of the Broncos with a 64-24 (.727) record in conference.
- The Broncos' 18-game winning streak came to an end on Thursday night, marking the second-longest in program history.
- Samantha Campion is 122 kills and 15 digs away from 1,000 in her CPP career in both categories.
- The Broncos remained ranked at No. 3 in the national rankings this week, their highest in program history.
- The Broncos have not beaten Cal State San Bernardino on their home court since 2014.
Latest Women's Volleyball
- Volleyball Secures First Outright CCAA Title in Program History on Dahl’s 100th WinCal Poly Pomona volleyball head coach Traci Dahl collected her 100th win at CPP on Saturday afternoon, defeating San Francisco State by a score of 3-1. With the win, the No. 3 ranked Broncos break the program record for most CCAA wins in a season at 17, while also securing their first outright regular season title in program history.
- Volleyball Ranked No. 1 in First Regional RankingsThe Cal Poly Pomona volleyball team was ranked No. 1 in the first NCAA Division II West Region rankings on Wednesday afternoon, it was announced on NCAA.com HERE.
- Volleyball Clinches First CCAA Regular Season Title Since 2005For the first time since 2005, Cal Poly Pomona volleyball has won the CCAA regular season title! Their 3-0 win against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday night secured at least a co-championship, and just one win next week will secure an outright regular season title.
- No. 3 Volleyball Remains Undefeated in Conference With 17th Straight WinCal Poly Pomona volleyball grinded out a tough win on Friday night, defeating No. 24 Cal State LA three sets to one to pick up their 17th consecutive win. The Broncos remain undefeated in CCAA action at 15-0, while continuing their best start in program history at 21-1 through their first 22 matches. The team is also an incredible 6-0 against nationally ranked opponents this season.
- Samantha Campion Named CCAA Defensive Player of the WeekCal Poly Pomona's Samantha Campion has been selected as the FloCollege/CCAA Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week for the week of Oct. 28-Nov. 3.
- Best Start in Program History, Broncos Set Record With Eighth Straight SweepThe Cal Poly Pomona volleyball team won their 16th consecutive match on Saturday afternoon, improving to 20-1 on the season to mark the best start in program history through 21 games. The previous best start through the same amount of games had been 19-2, set by the 2005 squad that had a historic 19-0 start.