The No. 20-ranked Cal Poly volleyball team snapped UC Santa Barbara’s 16-match home winning streak Saturday evening at the Thunderdome, claiming the Big West Conference opener for both clubs 30-15, 26-30, 32-30, 30-16. With the win Cal Poly inproved to 9-4 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
The Mustangs used a 12-3 run midway through game No. 1 to break a 12-10 advantage and outdistance themselves from UCSB. Alicia Waller punctuated the set with a kill to give Cal Poly a 1-0 games lead.
The Gauchos answered by opening a commanding 21-14 lead in game No. 2 en route to knotting the match. Trailing 29-20, Cal Poly managed to fight off six consecutive game points before succumbing.
Cal Poly managed to rally late again, this time claiming eight straight points to reverse a 23-18 deficit in game No. 3.
Back-to-back kills by UCSB’s Olivia Waldowski and Jamie Garbisch tied the game 25-25.
Four tied scores and three lead changes later, Cal Poly setter Caitlin Suttich gave the Mustangs a 32-30 win via an ace.
Cal Poly failed to trail in game No. 4, breaking away from the Gauchos with a 12-4 run.
Kylie Atherstone had 16 kills and nine digs and Waller added nine kills and 17 digs for the Mustangs.
Cal Poly resumes action at 7 p.m. Friday at UC?Irvine.