13-4, 5-1
Cal State Fullerton
0-17, 0-5
Cal Poly Captures Fifth Straight Win, Sweeps Cal State Fullerton
10/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – For the first time since 2007, Cal Poly volleyball has secured five consecutive victories in Big West Conference play after a sweep of Cal State Fullerton (25-11, 25-15, 25-21) on Friday evening inside the Mott Athletics Center. Mustang junior middle blocker Taylor Gruenewald led all attackers with 13 kills, freshman outside hitter Adlee Van Winden secured 10 kills and sophomore setter Taylor Nelson produced 33 assists.
Cal Poly improved to 13-4 overall – its best 17-match record to open a schedule since the 2010 season – and recorded its seventh three-set win of the year. With the loss, Cal State Fullerton is now 0-17 overall and 0-5 in conference. It is also the first time since 2010 that the Mustangs have collected 13 victories in a single season.
Summer Kerins led the Titans with eight kills, Mackenzie Olsen distributed 11 assists and Paige Reed compiled 12 digs.
Cal Poly hit no worse than .189 (third set), and used attack percentage of .262 (1st) and .303 (2nd) to pull away from Cal State Fullerton. Overall, Cal Poly hit .250 through the three sets, while the Titans struggled to .065.
Van Winden secured eight of her 10 kills on Friday evening during the opening set, as Cal Poly took charge after the set was even at five. A Gruenewald kill put the Mustangs back on top, 6-5, and after six consecutive points, Cal Poly led 12-5. Mustang sophomore Raeann Greisen sent home the final kill of the initial set, as Cal Poly won 25-11.
The second set featured five ties and three lead changes, as Gruenewald amassed four kills during the middle frame. Cal State Fullerton had seven attack errors in the second set, while Cal Poly had only two. With the Mustangs clinging to a 16-15 advantage, a Greisen kill coupled with a Van Winden service ace provided Cal Poly a lead it would not let slip away. Consecutive kills by Greisen and Nelson secured the second set for the Mustangs, 25-15, and a 2-0 set lead.
Cal Poly began the third set with a 1-0 advantage even before taking the court after the ten-minute break. With Cal State Fullerton tardy getting back from the locker room, the Titans were assessed a one-point penalty for a delay of game. Cal Poly took that advantage and ran with it – leading 8-2 and 12-6 – before the Titans managed to trim the deficit to 14-10. Cal State Fullerton fought back to within 22-21, but three successive kills by Gruenewald sealed the victory for Cal Poly, 25-22 and the match triumph.
Greisen recorded seven kills, while freshman libero Katherine Brouker produced 13 digs and senior Nicole Kessler had 12 digs. Cal Poly continued to serve well – amassing seven service aces – including two apiece from Nelson, Van Winden and Brouker. Sophomore outside hitter Casey Carroll delivered four kills during the victory and sophomore libero Bailey Roach had nine digs.
Cal Poly continues its conference-long three-match home stand at 7 p.m. PT Saturday evening when hosting UC Riverside. The match can be followed via live stats on GoPoly.com.
