By Christian Magdaleno, Nov. 19, 2024
Cal Poly Pomona women’s volleyball team claimed the California Collegiate Athletics Association regular-season title, the program’s first since 2005 and third in school history.
After defeating Cal State LA and Cal State Dominguez Hills, the No. 3-ranked Broncos remained undefeated in conference play with a 16-0 record to secure at least the title of co-champions.
No. 19-ranked San Francisco State ranks second place in the CCAA standings with a 14-2 record and holds the opportunity to earn a share of the title with two games left in conference play.
The Broncos need one win over the Gators or the Cal State Bernardino Yotes to win the regular season title outright.
“We didn’t even know we needed that one more to clinch, none of us had any idea really,” said setter Caitie Mueller. “It came as a big shock and just it being on senior night was just really special, honestly. It had been on our minds the entire season, so seeing it come to fruition has been amazing.”
CPP registered a season-high 15 total blocks to hold Cal State Dominguez Hills to a .036 hitting percentage to secure all three sets 25-16.
“I feel fantastic,” said Head Coach Traci Dahl. “I know we’re not done. These girls have some high goals, and they are well on their way to reaching them.”
Right side hitter Sarah Ybarra led the charge with 16 kills followed by outside hitter Charlotte Koerber with 14 kills on a season-high .500 hitting percentage and two blocks.
Libero Avery Percival led the team defensively with 20 digs, two digs shy of her season-high 22 digs in a 3-1 victory over Cal Poly Humboldt Oct. 3.
Mueller set up crucial attacks in the match with 32 assists, placing her 12 assists away from passing the fifth all-time in program history (2,974).
“I would not be able to get these assists without my hitters being amazing,” said Mueller. “It really helps me a lot having great hitters in every position.”
The Broncos earned a hard-fought victory over the defending national champions Cal State LA the night prior.
CPP dominated offensively with one attacking error on 11 kills for an efficient .323 hitting percentage to close out the first set 25-15 behind an eight-point run.
The Golden Eagles opened the second set with a 12-3 lead over the Broncos, but the momentum shifted as the Broncos chipped away at a nine-point deficit.
A kill by Ybarra and two consecutive service aces by outside hitter Samantha Campion put the Broncos on top 23-22.
CPP attacked Cal State LA from the end line with 11 service aces to the Golden Eagles five, tying the team’s second-most this season.
Percival and Koerber led the team with four respectively, followed by Campion with two.
“It took a lot of grit to fight back,” said Mueller. “I am proud of how we fought and especially coming back in that second set.”
The Broncos took the second set 26-24 behind a bad set and two attacking errors from the Golden Eagles.
Cal State LA had a similar start in the third set gaining a 9-1 advantage and the opportunity to break CPP’s 29-set win streak since Oct. 5.
CPP managed to stay within competitive range but were unable to catch up in time and lost the third set 25-19, only the fourth set dropped by the Broncos since Sept. 20 and the first lost by more than three points all season.
The Broncos regained momentum in the middle of the fourth set off an 11-4 scoring run to close out the fourth set 25-16 behind three consecutive kills from Campion and Ybarra to take the match.
CPP shut down Cal State LA offensively, forcing 25 attack errors on the night for a .149 hitting percentage to the Broncos .221.
Five student-athletes recorded double-digit digs to mark the team’s third-most digs all season, led by Campion with a team-high 15 digs and Percival with 14 digs.
Ybarra led the Broncos offensively with her 11th double-double of the season behind 18 kills and 12 digs.
Koerber contributed 11 kills, four aces and two blocks.
CPP improved to 22-1 overall to extend the best start in program history with 18 consecutive wins to sit in first place in the conference standings.
“I know we’re not done,” said Dahl. “These girls have some high goals, and they are well on their way to reaching them.”
Photos courtesy of Will G MacNeil