Friday, September 29
San Luis Obispo, Calif.
7 P.M.
vs
UC Irvine
Mustangs to Play First Home Big West Matches This Week
9/27/2023 4:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
WEEKLY NOTES (PDF)
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Following back-to-back five-set matches last week to start conference play on the road, Cal Poly volleyball returns to Mott Athletics Center this week for their first Big West home matches of the year. The Mustangs (7-7, 1-1 BW) will host UC Irvine Friday at 7 p.m. with the match being aired live on ESPN+ with Daniel Gillman and Harry Kaseff on the call. They then welcome in Cal State Fullerton Saturday at 2 p.m. There will not be a live stream for that match, but fans can follow live stats online. Links to those to follow both matches can be found on the schedule page. Last week, Cal Poly played a pair of five-set matches against Long Beach State and UC San Diego on the road. They fell to the Beach 3-2 before rebounding the next night to pull off a reverse sweep 3-2 comeback victory over the Tritons. The Mustangs have already played six five set matches this year and have won three matches via reverse sweep. SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS: UC Irvine comes into Friday's match at 3-10 overall and 1-1 in Big West play. They have lost seven of their last eight with their lone win coming in a sweep of UC Riverside last week. Cal Poly leads the all-time series with the Anteaters 51-21, but the Mustangs will be seeking revenge this year as UC Irvine won both meetings last season. Cal State Fullerton has started 1-10 overall this year and 0-2 in conference play. They have lost four straight, including the first two conference matches last week against UC Davis and UC Riverside. The Mustangs are 61-11 all-time against the Titans and won both matchups last year. DEFENSE IS THE CALLING CARD: So far this season, it has been the Cal Poly's defense that has led them to wins. As a team, they rank 53rd in the nation and tops in the Big West in digs per set (15.53) and 67th in the nation in blocks per set (2.40). Individually, libero Jolei Akima is 52nd in the nation and second in the Big West in digs per set at 4.63. Three weeks ago, she won her first career Big West Defensive Player of the Week award. Meanwhile, Amy Hiatt ranks 71st in the country and third in the Big West in blocks per set at 1.22. YOUTH RULES: Cal Poly is one of four teams in Division I without a senior on its roster. The other three are Canisius, Baylor, and Syracuse. UP NEXT: Following this week's matches, Cal Poly goes back on the road next week for matches at UC Davis on Thursday, Oct. 5 and UC Riverside Saturday, Oct. 7.
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Following back-to-back five-set matches last week to start conference play on the road, Cal Poly volleyball returns to Mott Athletics Center this week for their first Big West home matches of the year. The Mustangs (7-7, 1-1 BW) will host UC Irvine Friday at 7 p.m. with the match being aired live on ESPN+ with Daniel Gillman and Harry Kaseff on the call. They then welcome in Cal State Fullerton Saturday at 2 p.m. There will not be a live stream for that match, but fans can follow live stats online. Links to those to follow both matches can be found on the schedule page. Last week, Cal Poly played a pair of five-set matches against Long Beach State and UC San Diego on the road. They fell to the Beach 3-2 before rebounding the next night to pull off a reverse sweep 3-2 comeback victory over the Tritons. The Mustangs have already played six five set matches this year and have won three matches via reverse sweep. SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS: UC Irvine comes into Friday's match at 3-10 overall and 1-1 in Big West play. They have lost seven of their last eight with their lone win coming in a sweep of UC Riverside last week. Cal Poly leads the all-time series with the Anteaters 51-21, but the Mustangs will be seeking revenge this year as UC Irvine won both meetings last season. Cal State Fullerton has started 1-10 overall this year and 0-2 in conference play. They have lost four straight, including the first two conference matches last week against UC Davis and UC Riverside. The Mustangs are 61-11 all-time against the Titans and won both matchups last year. DEFENSE IS THE CALLING CARD: So far this season, it has been the Cal Poly's defense that has led them to wins. As a team, they rank 53rd in the nation and tops in the Big West in digs per set (15.53) and 67th in the nation in blocks per set (2.40). Individually, libero Jolei Akima is 52nd in the nation and second in the Big West in digs per set at 4.63. Three weeks ago, she won her first career Big West Defensive Player of the Week award. Meanwhile, Amy Hiatt ranks 71st in the country and third in the Big West in blocks per set at 1.22. YOUTH RULES: Cal Poly is one of four teams in Division I without a senior on its roster. The other three are Canisius, Baylor, and Syracuse. UP NEXT: Following this week's matches, Cal Poly goes back on the road next week for matches at UC Davis on Thursday, Oct. 5 and UC Riverside Saturday, Oct. 7.
Players Mentioned
L/DS
/ Women's Volleyball
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