Mustangs Steal First Set but Fall to #11 Minnesota in Season Opener

Friday, August 29

Minneapolis, MN

4:00 PM

0-1,0-0Big West

Minnesota

1-1,0-0Big Ten

Cal Poly

Minnesota

Photo by: Owen Main | Cal Poly Athletics

Mustangs Steal First Set but Fall to #11 Minnesota in Season Opener

8/29/2025 7:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — After storming out of the gates with a stunning 25-17 first-set victory, fueled by 17 kills split between four Mustangs, the Cal Poly volleyball team couldn't sustain the momentum, dropping the next three sets to the #11 ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers in a 3-1 season-opening loss on the road.

Despite the final result, the Mustangs showcased flashes of brilliance. An explosive first set and a relentless defensive effort from the backcourt propelled multiple players to single-match career highs. Libero Ella Scott, starting in the position for the first time since early last season, was a dynamo, shattering her personal bests with 17 digs and 7 assists. Emma Fredrick was equally impressive, setting a new career-high of 14 digs.

Setter Emme Bullis became the first Mustang of the season to record a double-double with 27 assists and 13 digs. She wasn't alone as three Mustangs ultimately finished with double-doubles. Kendall Beshear (12 kills, 12 digs) and Emma Fredrick (10 kills, 14 digs) joined Bullis shortly after. In the middle, Chloe Leluge lived up to her Big West Preseason Coaches' Team selection, hitting at a scorching .400 clip with nine kills and five total blocks.

The opening frame was a masterclass. After a 7-7 tie, the Mustangs ignited a decisive 6-point run, powered by a handful of kills from veteran right-side hitter Annabelle Thalken. Minnesota could not recover, getting no closer than five points as Cal Poly cruised to a 25-17 win, their largest set victory over a ranked opponent since 2021.

However, the match turned from there. The Mustangs never again held a lead in the latter half of any remaining set, as the Golden Gophers regrouped and trucked through the next three frames (12-25, 21-25, 18-25) to secure the home victory.

The Mustangs' gritty defensive effort, which saw four players tally double-digit digs, made AVCA Player of the Year candidate Julia Hanson work for every point. Still, the Golden Gopher star hit a formidable .340 and racked up a match-high 21 kills to ultimately steer her team to victory.

Cal Poly has two remaining matches in the tournament, beginning with tomorrow's noon matchup against the local St. Thomas Tommies before rounding out the tournament in Minneapolis versus Ball State on Sunday.