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 All Athletics News
- No. 23 Broncos Outlasted After Seven Rounds of Penalties in CCAA Final; Must Await NCAA Fate on MondayHAYWARD, Calif. - Second-seeded Cal Poly Pomona succumbed to top-seeded fellow regular-season co-champion Cal State Dominguez Hills following a penalty-kick tiebreaker, 6-5, in the title match of the 2024 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men's Soccer Tournament presented by FloCollege at host Cal State East Bay's Pioneer Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
- Broncos Win the CCAA TournamentThe Cal Poly Pomona Broncos triumphed 2-0 over Cal State East Bay in the CCAA Conference Championship game, securing their first CCAA tournament title since 1999. With the win, the Broncos also earned an automatic bid to the NCAA West Regional Tournament, marking the 200th NCAA appearance in school history.
- Women’s Basketball Wins Third Straight, Defeat Hope International 75-52Cal Poly Pomona women's basketball cruised to a 75-52 victory at Hope International on Saturday afternoon, improving to 3-1 to start the season. This was just the second meeting all-time between the two teams, the Broncos winning both games on the road.
- Eagles Outscore the Broncos in Home OpenerThe Cal Poly Pomona Broncos suffered a narrow 83-79 loss to the Biola Eagles in a hard-fought contest on Saturday. Despite a strong start and key contributions from several players, the Broncos couldn't hold off a late surge from the Eagles, who took control in the final moments.
- 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.
- No. 23 Cal Poly Pomona Holds Off East Bay to Move Back Into CCAA Tournament Final on SundayHAYWARD, Calif. - Cal Poly Pomona trotted out to a 3-0 advantage by halftime but was made to hang on in the end to eliminate Cal State East Bay, 3-2, in a semifinal match of the 2024 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men's Soccer Tournament presented by FloCollege on Friday evening at Pioneer Stadium.