Ryan ChartrandThe Cal Poly women’s volleyball team dominated Saturday night at Mott Gym, where it swept Cal State Fullerton and Kylie Atherstone broke the all-time Cal Poly record of 167 career aces.
Atherstone, a senior opposite, had not just two service aces to break the record, but five during the 25-16, 25-20, 25-12 win.
“I’m just glad we won,” Atherstone said. “If we would have lost, it doesn’t matter about the aces.”
The accomplishment came after Atherstone became the second Mustang and 11th Big West Conference player to record 4,000 hitting attempts in a career during a 3-1 win over UC Irvine on Oct. 18.
“It’s nice to have the personal accolades, but in the end, if we win, I’m happy,” she said.
Cal Poly senior outside hitter Ali Waller also came out strong, with a team-high 10 kills and 12 digs in her eighth double-double of the season. Junior setter Hailey Fithian added a match-high 30 assists in the win.
Other Mustangs with impressive performances included senior middle blocker Jaclyn Houston, who tallied seven kills and five blocks and hit .583, and sophomore middle blocker Dominique Olowolafe, who contributed six kills against zero errors to hit a match-best .750.
“That is just excellent play by us,” Mustangs head coach Jon Stevenson said. “We hit for a high percentage, we out-dug them, we out-blocked them, and I’m sure we out-served them.”
Erin Saddler led the Titans (12-12, 5-4 Big West Conference) with 12 kills.
After enjoying an undefeated four-match homestand, the Mustangs (13-7, 8-1 Big West), in sole possession of first place in the Big West, will now prepare to visit Pacific at 7 p.m. Friday.