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
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- Broncos Roll Over Warriors, 5-1, in First Road Match of Season to Remain Perfect at 4-0SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Cal Poly Pomona women's soccer team scored three first-half goals and routed Westmont College, 5-1, in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon at Thorrington Field.
- No. 10 Volleyball’s Non-Conference Dominance Continues, Sweeps Western WashingtonCal Poly Pomona volleyball continued to dominate non-conference competition on Saturday, sweeping Western Washington to improve to 6-1 on the season. Since the start of the 2021 season, the Broncos are a staggering 26-3 in regular season non-conference matches, good for an .897 winning percentage in such games.
- No. 10 Broncos Sweep Simon FraserThe Broncos picked up their third sweep of the season on Friday night, defeating Simon Fraser 3-0 to improve to 5-1 to start the 2024 campaign. Cal Poly Pomona won each set in convincing fashion with set scores of 25-20, 25-16, and 25-15.
- No. 10 Volleyball Stunned by Central Washington in Fifth SetThe Cal Poly Pomona volleyball team lost in heartbreaking fashion to Central Washington on Thursday night, taking their first loss to fall to 4-1 on the season. The No. 10 ranked Broncos were just one point away from claiming the match, before the Wildcats fired off seven consecutive points to take the decisive fifth set.
- CPP Knocks Off Defending National Champion Point Loma on Oper Stunner for First Win Over No. 1-Ranked Team in Program HistoryPOMONA, Calif. - Tara Oper's incredible goal lifted Cal Poly Pomona to an upset triumph over No. 1-ranked reigning NCAA Division II national champion Point Loma Nazarene University, 1-0, in a marquee non-conference women's soccer match at Kellogg Stadium on Thursday.