By Jacob Rodriguez, Aug. 27, 2024
Cal Poly Pomona’s volleyball team hopes to start the season off strong Thursday, Sept. 5, during its first preseason game against St. Cloud State as part of the California State University San Bernardino Coyote Classic.
CPP finished the year with a 22-8 record last season, the Broncos reached the California Collegiate Athletic Association and NCAA West Regional tournaments’ semifinals to rank them within the Top 25 in the American Volleyball Coaches Assocation Preseason poll at No. 21.
According to head coach Traci Dahl, the team is full of ambitious and experienced players.
“We have a pretty veteran team,” Dahl said. “Eight seniors and pretty much everyone but two are returning from last year. Right now, I would say we want to start preseason strong.”
Dahl also made it clear that the team’s goal was to win a championship. Senior setter Caitie Mueller echoed this sentiment.
“We want to be champs,” Mueller said. “It starts with the little things, and we’re going day by day, moment by moment, but our big goal is to be national champions.”
Mueller was awarded the CCAA Newcomer of the Year in 2022 after her first season as a Bronco and earned the recognition of AVCA All-American honorable mention for the past two season.
Muller highlighted the team’s chemistry, emphasizing the championship vision they have adopted this season.
“It is really great energy in the gym,” said Mueller. “All of us are vibing really well with each other. We’re playing well off each other and have a healthy mindset of what we want to accomplish. Everyone is bought in, and it’s just high energy on the court.”
Senior outside hitter Madison Novak expressed enthusiasm about the team going into her final season as a Bronco.
“I would say our practices this year we definitely look the best this year compared to the past three years,” said Novak. “These girls are working so hard. I just haven’t seen us look this good this early, and I think for a lot of teams, it’s hard to look as good as we look this early in the season. It is just exciting.”
Novak totaled 329 kills to receive second team All-CCAA and accumulated 27 kills in seven sets to be named to the CCAA All-tournament team last season.
The team’s improvement over the years has been evident to Novak, and it has been encouraging to see the supportive culture they have built.
“I think that our team is a very mature team,” said Dahl. “It’s refreshing to see how it’s a players-led team, and we lead them in the right direction, but it helps when everybody is on board, and they all want to be there and working hard.”
Mueller and Dahl both described the team’s identity as a gritty, aggressive team that will do everything it can to win a game.
Dahl also recognizes the team is still learning about each other, and the newer members contribute to her excitement for the season.
“We’ve got two really talented freshmen on the team, and we also have an All-American transfer,” said Dahl, referring to the three new athletes on the team: freshman middle blocker Kylie Leopard and rightside hitter Elle Walker, and transfer outside hitter Charolette Koerber.
Koerber previously attended Daemen University where she accounted for 354 kills and 302 digs in 29 matches in the 2023 season to be named an AVCA honorable mention All-American.
Mueller and Novak expressed their excitement for the new team members who contribute positive attitudes and raise the level of play in the gym.
With the first preseason game fast approaching, the CCAA dropped its preseason polls voted on by each of the conference’s 12 head coaches. CPP ranked second, just behind defending national champions Cal State LA.
Mueller, Novak, and outside hitter Samantha Campion were named to the CCAA watchlist for their first or second CCAA team honors last season.
Dahl shared her thoughts on their accomplishments, saying it was a testament to what they had done for this program, and they are deserving of the honors.
“I think it’s just a great honor for all of us,” said Novak. “It’s a testament to all the hard work not just us but everyone put in because obviously, we can’t be successful if our teammates aren’t either. But it’s the watchlist, and it’s time to put in work to now prove them right.”
Following the CSUSB Coyote Classic, the Broncos attend the Central Washington Tournament from Sept. 12-14 before kicking off the regular season with a home game against CSUSB Friday, Sept. 20.
Muller reflected on what CPP fans can expect from the upcoming season, emphasizing good things to follow.
“Big things, we’re ready and putting all of our effort in.”
Feature image courtesy of Will G. MacNeil