Volleyball defeated Chico State and tied a program record for most consecutive 3-0 sweeps to open up Califronia Collegiate Athletic Association play.
The Broncos and the Wildcats both entered CCAA conference play Friday evening with a record of 7-1.
Cal Poly Pomona came out aggressively taking an early 8-1 lead, but that lead slowly dwindled as the Wildcats came within one point. Coach Rosie Wegrich called a time out to stop the momentum and allow the team to regroup.
Without losing their composure, the team wasted no time and came out of the time out with a kill by senior middle blocker Kristen Hamlin.
“We talk about poise, composure, and solutions instead of focusing on that other stuff, like getting into panic mode,” Wegrich said. “It really starts with the coaches and I think the coaching staff has done a very constructive job getting the team to emulate what we want.”
Chico State remained aggressive throughout the first set, keeping the score close up until the very end, when the Broncos were able to pull away and win 25-21.
“I was proud of the girls and the way they came out in set one,” Wegrich said. “Set one really sets the tone and that’s done by consistency.”
The second set began with some back-and-forth play as both teams started off aggressive. CPP never allowed Chico to gain the lead and went on a 10-4 run.
“The girls are really invested, and they just want to do their very best,” Wegrich said. “They are very mature.”
CPP closed the second set with a 25-20 victory.
Heading into their third set with a 2-0 lead, which has been the story for their last 7 games, the Broncos never took their foot off the gas and remained focused on getting the win.
“I think we just kept telling ourselves not to get too comfortable,” senior outside hitter Andrea Bosnic said. “Chico is a really great team who can come back, and they want it as well, now that it is conference time and these games mean so much. We kept reminding each other to play for every point.”
The Broncos did just that as they were the aggressor in the third set. CPP found themselves up early and went on a 9-0 run creating an 11-point lead that the Wildcats couldn’t seem to overcome.
CPP finished the final set with a dominating 25-12 victory over Chico State.
“We knew it was going to be tough, but the confidence was just radiating from everyone on the team,” senior outside hitter Jenna Goldsberry said. “It was just a really great feeling to have a 3-0 win.”
The team finished the game hitting at a .330, which Wegrich attributes to “passing, setting and keeping our errors down. I was pleased we only had 11 errors. That’s where they have shown their maturity to keep that ball in play by hitting a smart shot, not necessarily a killer, velocity shot.”
Bosnic put on a stellar performance for the first conference game as she tallied in 13 kills for a .435 hitting percentage and added 9 digs.
“I think when your other teammates are playing really well, they almost take off the pressure of you trying to freak out and get a lot of points,” Bosnic explained. “Having it be a team effort made it a lot more relaxed to play and made it really fun.”
Freshman setter Kira Zimmerman, who has been key to this team’s hitting success, dished out another impressive 28-assists and added 6 digs.
Senior outside hitter Jenna Goldsberry finished the night with a double-double including 10 kills and 10 digs.
“The excitement of our first conference match and the confidence that we all had made me want to do my best for my team,” Goldsberry said.
The Broncos faced Stanislaus State on Saturday and defeated the Warriors 3-1.
The Warriors broke the Broncos consecutive 3-0 sweeps by taking the first set 25-16
Looking to bounce back, the Broncos took the second and third set 25-15 and 25-18.
Heading into the fourth set, the Warriors kept it close but the Broncos took the win 25-20 pushing the Broncos to a 9-1 overall record and 2-0 in CCAA play.
Bosnic and Goldsberry each had 18 kills apiece while Zimmerman had a team-leading 51 assists.
Hamlin had 10 kills while leading the team with a .455 hitting percentage.
The Broncos have won eight straight games and open their home schedule this weekend against Sonoma State and Humboldt State.
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