The Cal Poly volleyball team lost both of its weekend matches as the Mustangs dropped a 3-1 decision to UC Davis on Friday and fell short in a five-set thriller to conference-leading Cal State Northridge on Saturday night.
Jacob Lauing
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For the second night in a row, the Cal Poly volleyball team had three players record more than 10 kills, but still came up empty handed, falling to Cal State Northridge, 3-2.
The Mustangs (8-11, 2-4 Big West Conference) began the season undefeated at home, but lost both contests this weekend, dropping a four-set match with UC Davis on Friday and losing to the Matadors on Saturday.
However, perhaps the biggest loss of the weekend came when senior Chelsea Hardin, the Mustangs leader with 3.15 kills per set, dislocated her finger against UC Davis. The outside hitter underwent corrective surgery Friday night and will be out between three and four weeks.
“It’s a toughie,” head coach Sam Crosson said. “Obviously you’d like to have her out there. It’s probably her best year at Poly. Offensively, it makes things a little bit more challenging for us. I was impressed with how they responded tonight as opposed to last night.”
Cal State Northridge (16-4, 6-1 Big West) entered the contest tied for first place in the Big West and lived up to its record; the Matadors got off to a quick 5-0 start in the first set.
“The margin for error is small when you’re playing competitive teams,” Crosson said. “They’re good. They’ve got experience. They’ve got some athletes and some arms. They know how to go on the road and battle and compete.”
But Cal Poly would soon answer back, eventually tying the set and sparking what would be a night of back-and-forth play. Despite 11 tie scores in the first set, the Matadors went on to win, 27-25.
“This group is resilient,” Crosson said. “They like to battle. They could have easily come out and still been thinking about last night’s match or what their record is. At some point they’re going to realize that there’s nothing to lose, and then go out there and play assertive and aggressive.”
The Mustangs went up 2-0 to start the second set, but their victory was short lived, as more gridlock volleyball ensued. The score worked itself up to 27-26 until Cal Poly tipped things in its favor and won 28-26.
After a clean 25-22 victory in the third set, the Mustangs imploded in set four.
With 13 errors and a -.135 hitting percentage, Cal Poly fell to a 25-18 set loss, evening the match at two apiece.
“I think we have yet to really be comfortable doing what we do for a longer period of time.” Crosson said. “It’s a grind for them mentally. At times we try to be too perfect. We need to understand the concept that good will work.”
The Mustangs faded in the fifth and deciding set, falling 15-11 and while mustering a .167 hitting percentage.
Outside hitter Megan McConnell finished the night two digs away from her second consecutive double-double. The senior notched 20 kills and eight digs.
Sophomore Hannah Schleis recorded 18 kills for the second night in a row, while libero Steffi Sooter continued to dominate on defense. The senior’s 16 digs led Cal Poly on Saturday.
“One of the best parts about our game is that it has everything to do with what we do on our side of the net,” Crosson said. “We’re going to be a really good team when we figure out how to not beat ourselves.”
The loss puts Cal Poly at 2-4 in the Big West. No. 10 Hawai’i, which swept the Mustangs last weekend, dropped to second place, and the Matadors moved into sole possession of first.
Cal Poly hits the road next weekend to face Cal State Fullerton on Oct. 25 and UC Riverside the following evening.
The Highlanders, who host the Mustangs on Saturday, are winless in Big West play, but the road hasn’t been so kind to Cal Poly.
Compiling a 1-8 record away from Mott Athletics Center, the Mustangs have yet to win a conference match on the road.
“In my mind it should be the same,” Crosson said. “These players have been around long enough to know what everyone’s gym looks like. Just because we didn’t get to sleep in our own beds or we’re in a hotel or the gym’s different or whatever, those are distractions. You should be able to execute and play.”