By: Alex Kline, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
POMONA, Calif. – Samantha Campion was named D2CCA West Region Player of the Year and Traci Dahl was named AVCA West Region Coach of the Year on Wednesday morning, while Sarah Ybarra and Caitie Mueller received All-West Region First Team honors. The three student-athletes ties a program record for most all-region honorees in a season.
Samantha Campion was named Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) West Region Player of the Year, becoming the first player to earn the honor in program history. The senior outside hitter led the No. 10 ranked Broncos to a 23-3 record (17-1 CCAA) and their first-ever outright CCAA regular season championship. Campion contributed in all areas, filling up the stat sheet each match. She ranked in the top 10 in the conference and top 20 in the West Region four different categories; aces (0.51), digs (3.62), kills (3.19), and points (4.06). Campion registered 14 double-doubles with the combo of kills and digs. She finished 17 matches with double-figure kills, and 18 with double figure digs. The Mission Viejo native has an ace in nine consecutive matches, including posting six in three sets vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills.
Head coach Traci Dahl was named AVCA West Region Coach of the Year, the first time a CPP head coach has won the award since Gene Krieger in 1990. Dahl guided Cal Poly Pomona to their fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance, while being named CCAA Coach of the Year. The Broncos dominated against top-tier opponents, going 7-0 against nationally ranked teams this season. The team also reached as high as No. 3 in the national polls, setting a program record for highest ranking.
Caitie Mueller and Sarah Ybarra, in addition to Campion, were named AVCA All-West Region First Team honorees. It is the first time either have received the recognition, after Mueller was named All-West Region Honorable Mention in each of the past two seasons. Mueller has proven to be one of the best setters in the nation, recording 953 assists and averaging 10.71 per set – ranking 18th in the nation in the latter. She was also named All-CCAA First Team for the second time in her career.
Ybarra has helped carry the Bronco offense, posting 365 kills with a .257 hitting percentage and averaging 4.10 kills per set – which also ranks 18th best in the nation. The La Habra native also ranks 16th in the nation in points per set (4.74), while being named All-CCAA First Team and winning National Player of the Week honors in the first week of the season.
The Broncos are set to host the regionals for the first time in the current postseason format (introduced in 1993). They will play in the regional quarterfinal against Simon Fraser tomorrow, December 5th, at 1:30 PM in Kellogg Arena. It will be their first home NCAA Tournament match in 32 years.
Latest All Athletics News
- Late Surge Pushes Cal State LA Past BroncosThe Cal Poly Pomona Broncos dropped a hard-fought contest to the Cal State LA Golden Eagles, 67-58, in a CCAA conference showdown. Despite a strong start, the Broncos couldn't overcome a late surge from the Golden Eagles and ultimately fell short.
- Fourth-Quarter Firepower Propels Broncos Past Golden EaglesThe Cal Poly Pomona Broncos rallied back from an early deficit to defeat the Cal State LA Golden Eagles 63-52 in a thrilling women's basketball contest. Despite a strong start from the Golden Eagles, the Broncos found their rhythm and dominated the final quarter to secure the victory.
- Toros Run Away with 67-50 Victory Over BroncosThe No. 25 Cal Poly Pomona Broncos were defeated by Cal State Dominguez Hills, falling 67-50 in a tough match up. Despite a strong start, the Broncos were unable to overcome the Toros' offensive momentum and defensive pressure throughout the game.
- Broncos Fall Short in Tight Contest with TorosThe No. 17 Cal Poly Pomona Broncos battled fiercely but ultimately fell short to the No. 5 Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros, 65-61, in a tightly contested match up that saw both teams trading leads throughout the game.
- Winslow, Jackson, and Lena Named Scholar All-AmericansA record three Cal Poly Pomona men's soccer student-athletes were named to the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Scholar All-American team. It is the first time in program history three athletes have received the honor in the same season.
- CPP Athletics Sets Department Record With No. 4 Ranking in Learfield Director’s CupThe National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) released the fall national standings for the Learfield Director's Cup on Monday morning, seeing Cal Poly Pomona receive it's highest ranking in department history at No. 4 in all of NCAA Division II with 267.0 total points. Only Grand Valley State, Wingate, and Colorado State Pueblo beat out the Broncos with more points.