No. 25 Long Beach too much for Mustangs

Cal Poly dropped a tightly contested match against No. 25 Long Beach State on Saturday 3-2.

Though the 49ers finished the Mustangs off in four games, the final score didn’t tell the complete story.

The Mustangs lost the first game 30-27 followed by a 30-28 defeat in game two. The Mustangs had the serve down 29-28 after Vanessa Gilliam connected for a clutch kill.

Gilliam then served the ball into the net, giving the 49ers the game two win.

Cal Poly led the entire way during the third game. Gilliam had seven kills during the game.

The 49ers got a quick start on the Mustang in the fourth game.

Long Beach led 16-7 before the Mustangs rallied to within two, 19-17.

But the 49ers proved their No. 25 national ranking and won the game 30-24.

Despite the setback in game two, Gilliam led all players with 22 kills. Kylie Atherstone and Kayla Mulder each had 12 for the Mustangs. Libero Kristin Jackson had a team-high 26 digs.

Rosie Lewis led Long Beach with 20 kills. Ali Daley and Alexis Crimes chipped in with 14 apiece. Heather Laudato led all players with 28 digs.

Cal Poly fell to 9-4 overall, 2-2 in Big West play while the 49ers improved to 11-4 overall, 1-1 in conference. Long Beach traveled to UC Santa Barbara for its first Big West match this season and got dominated. The Gauchos, coming off their upset loss to the Mustangs, disposed of the 49ers in three games.

 

Cal Poly tops UC Irvine

Cal Poly defeated the UC Irvine Anteaters at Mott Gym Friday in five games. Though the Mustangs dominated the first two games, winning 30-18 and 30-19, the Anteaters refused to quit.

Irvine battled to 30-28 wins in games three and four to force a final game.

The Mustangs bounced back to win 15-13 in the final game.

Gilliam tacked onto her conference lead with another 22 kills. Mulder and Atherstone had 19 and 12 kills, respectively.

Jackson again led the way in digs with 20. Mulder finished with 14 digs and Gilliam had 12.

Cal Poly’s setter Chelsea Hayes compiled 12 digs to go along with her 50 assists.

Hayes grew up in Atascadero and played under current Cal Poly head coach Jon Stevenson at Saint Mary’s before transferring to Cal Poly this year.

Amanda Vasquez led the Anteaters with 20 kills. Keegan Featherston had a team high 19 digs.

Cal Poly plays its next two games on the road. The Mustangs play at UC Riverside on Friday and at Cal State Fullerton the next day.