1-0
San Jose State
0-1
Cal Poly Fights Back to Beat San Jose State in Season Opener, 3-1
8/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Cal Poly volleyball program won its 2015 opener with a 3-1, come-from-behind victory over San Jose State on Friday afternoon inside Spartan Gym. The Mustangs received a match-high 14 kills from freshman outside hitter Adlee Van Winden to outlast the Spartans on the initial day of the San Jose State Invitational.
After falling in the first set, 25-20, the Mustangs roared to life by taking the next three sets (25-20, 25-15 and 25-18) and earning the victory.
In addition to Van Winden, Cal Poly boasted two more players with double-digit kill totals, including senior outside hitter Hannah Schleis (11 kills) and sophomore middle blocker Savannah Niemen (10). The Mustangs established match-highs in both assists and digs, which included sophomore setter Taylor Nelson (who produced a match-high 45 assists) and freshman libero Katherine Brouker (who made 14 digs).
During the opening set, the Spartans grabbed control early and led 12-4 after a kill by Tyanna Roy. Cal Poly then went on a 6-2 run, and after a kill by Van Winden, were down only 14-10. San Jose State then grabbed four of the next five points to claim an 18-11 lead. Cal Poly battled to within 23-18 after kill by Niemen, but the Spartans collected the next two points to take the first set.
With the second set knotted at eight apiece after a kill by SJSU's Roy, Cal Poly won eight of the next 11 points and led 16-11. Consecutive kills by sophomore outside hitter Raeann Greisen and Niemen provided the Mustangs with more breathing room and a 20-15 advantage. A kill by Van Winden gave Cal Poly its first set victory of the season and tied the match at one apiece.
The third set is where the Mustangs came alive, connecting on a .444 attack percentage, the best set, percentage-wise, by Cal Poly during the match. With 13 kills and only one error, the Mustangs seized control of the third set – and the match – by jumping out to a 16-8 lead after a kill from junior middle blocker Taylor Gruenewald. Cal Poly continued to pressure the Spartans, and with a 23-15 lead, the Mustangs collected a service ace from Greisen and a kill by Schleis to win, 25-15.
With a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth set, Cal Poly went up 8-2 only to have the advantage trimmed to 10-8 after a kill by SJSU's Nandyala Gama. The Mustangs then went on a 6-3 to grab a 16-11 advantage and after consecutive kills from Van Winden and Schleis, led 18-11. Gruenewald added two more kills during the final 12 points of the third set, finishing with nine on the afternoon. A kill by Van Winden put the finishing touches on the first Mustang victory of the season, as Cal Poly used a .263 attack percentage (compared to only .125 for the Spartans) to win the fourth and final set.
Overall, Cal Poly finished with a .254 attack percentage, compared to .203 for San Jose State.
The Mustangs (1-0) will battle Sacramento State at 3 p.m. Saturday as the San Jose State Invitational continues.
