CSUN
Cal Poly Open Big West Play at CSUN and Cal State Bakersfield
9/25/2024 4:45:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Sitting atop the conference’s overall standings, Cal Poly (7-4) kicks off the Big West slate this weekend on the road against CSUN (5-6) and Cal State Bakersfield (6-6).
The Mustangs put together a 2-1 tournament at the Shocker Volleyball Classic last weekend, which included a 3-2 reverse sweep over Northern Colorado, a regular Big Sky championship contender and NCAA Tournament participant.
The Cardiac Stangs strike in 2024, upsetting the 9-3 Bears in a thrilling reverse sweep!#RideHigh pic.twitter.com/VkLw8tcW9d
— Cal Poly Volleyball (@CalPolyVolley) September 21, 2024
Celebrating #nationalvolleyballday with All-Tournament Team nods for Tommi Stockham and Elif Hurriyet ?? ??#RideHigh pic.twitter.com/d6licNqwNl
— Cal Poly Volleyball (@CalPolyVolley) September 23, 2024
Freshmen Riding High
Elif Hurriyet, given an All-Tournament team nod, totaled 50 digs during a 2-1 weekend at the Shocker Volleyball Classic, setting her new season and career single-game high of 25 digs in an upset reverse sweep win over a 9-3 Northern Colorado team. She collected double-digit digs in two of the three matches during the tournament while also leading Cal Poly through the weekend with a .968 reception percentage, making only two errors on 62 attempts.
Kendall Beshear continues on a tear in her true freshman season after totaling 3.08 kills per set and 3.25 digs per set through 12 sets in this weekend's tournament. Against Wichita State, her second consecutive double-double (17 kills, 18 digs) provided another example of her back row versatility. She then followed that up with her third consecutive double-double (12 kills, 11 digs) and fifth double-digit kill match this season in a 3-1 win over Omaha. Her fourth straight contest of double-digit digs (10) helped Cal Poly to a reverse sweep over Northern Colorado.
One-Two Punch
Bullis continues to pace the Big West with 10.62 assists per set after a weekend that saw her collect at least 40 assists in every match, including two games passing the half-century mark. Totaling 129 assists on the weekend, Bullis set new season highs against Wichita State with 57 assists and 16 digs. During the win over Northern Colorado, she also reset her season high of 5 total blocks.
Also named to the All-Tournament team, Tommi Stockham led the team with 43 total kills and 8 service aces. Against Wichita State, she once again extended her double-digit kills streak (16 kills, 10 digs) despite the loss. In the win over Omaha, she collected a quartet of service aces for the third time this season. Finally, during the upset victory over Northern Colorado, enjoyed a game-leading 19 kills during her fifth double-double of the season alongside 16 digs.
at CSUN - Sept. 27, 6 p.m. (PT)
In spite of a rocky start to the 2024 season, CSUN has taken wins in three of its last four matches, which most recently included back-to-back wins over Portland and a sweep of Cal Baptist.
The Matadors have been impressive on the offensive side of the ball thus far, averaging 12.93 kills per set as a team, just 0.09 behind Cal Poly and good for the third best mark in the Big West. However, CSUN also allows the third most kills per set and is blocked second most.
In assisting their attacking efforts, Katie Kolar earned Big West Setter of the Week after averaging over 10 assists per set and helping the Matadors to a 3-1 weekend.
Cal Poly leads the all-time series 41-26 and have won 13 of the previous 14 matchups dating back to 2015. Currently on their longest win streak of the season (two games), the Matadors will certainly be looking for consistency in the start of the conference slate.
at Cal State Bakersfield - Sept. 28, 4 p.m. (PT)
The Roadrunners, fresh off a rivalry win over central valley foe Fresno State, host Cal poly on Saturday in what will be Breklyn Pulling’s first match against her former team since transferring to Cal Poly before this season.
Prior to the match against Fresno State, Cal State Bakersfield suffered consecutive shutouts to Sacramento State and Pacific. Even so, the Roadrunners are tied with Cal Poly for second in the conference with 16.55 points per set while pin hitter Sydney Dunning (3.73 K/S) sits third among individual players for kills.
Despite being Big West opponents nowadays and in somewhat close proximity, geographically, the two teams have only played each other a total of 12 times since 1979 with Cal Poly leading 10-2 all-time and 4-1 since CSUB joined the conference before 2021.
