Flashback Friday: Cal Poly Volleyball Hosts First Two Rounds of NCAA Tournament
12/4/2020 9:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
EDITOR'S NOTE: Each Friday from September to December, Cal Poly will revisit a memorable game, meet or match from Mustang history through the Flashback Friday series presented by Pacific Eye.
For only the second time in program history, the Cal Poly volleyball program hosted the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament at Mott Athletics Center 14 years ago this week.
On Dec. 1, 2006, in front of over 3,000 fans at a sold out Mott Athletics Center, faced the University of Michigan. It was also the host site for the first round match between LSU and Cal. It was the last time the Mustangs hosted the NCAA Tournament, with the only other happening in 1989.
The 2006 Mustangs won the Big West Championship after going 13-1 in conference and finished with a 23-6 overall record. They recorded wins that season over No. 8 Texas, No. 20 Louisville, and No. 12 Hawai'i. That resume granted Cal Poly the opportunity to be one of the 16 host sites for the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament.
Against the Wolverines in front of a deafening crowd of Mustang fans, Cal Poly used the home court advantage to take the first set 30-23 (sets were played to 30 back then). Michigan then tied the match 1-1 after winning the second set 30-26.
However, behind a match-high 24 kills from Big West Player of the Year Kylie Atherstone, the Mustangs were able to win the next two sets 30-25 and 30-23 and defeat the Wolverines 3-1 to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Along with Atherstone's 24 kills, Cal Poly got contributions from several other Mustangs. Setter Chelsea Hayes had 50 assists, libero Kristin Jackson finished with 29 digs, middle blockers Alicia Waller and Jaclyn Houston had 12 and 10 kills.
As a team, Cal Poly hit .235 for the match and finished with 14 blocks. They also held Michigan to a .124 hitting percentage.
The Mustangs ended up falling in the second round the next night to Cal 1-3, but the 2006 team will be remembered as one of Cal Poly's best.
Atherstone was named Co-Big West Player of the Year that season and a total of five Mustangs were named First Team All-Big West.
