Cal Poly Beach Volleyball’s 16-match winning streak ended against No. 9 Long Beach State on Saturday, April 6 in Laguna Beach.
The Mustangs (21-3) played a double-header against NAIA program University of St. Katherine, followed by a matchup with Big West foe No. 9 Long Beach State (20-4).
Coming into the Saturday matchups, the No.6 ranked Mustangs had the longest win streak in the nation. First, they took down the University of Saint Katherine 5-0 in an exhibition but then fell to Big West foe Long Beach State (20-4) in a 3-2 decision.
In the loss to Long Beach State, the Mustangs’ No. 1 pairing of redshirt sophomore Ella Connor and sophomore Izzy Martinez extended their win streak to 13 straight after winning their matches 21-19 and 21-14. Overall, the duo improves to 19-4.
Connor and Martinez have been crucial to the Mustang’s steady climb in the rankings. The two earned Big West Pair of the Week honors after sweeping the Big West Tournament earlier in the season.
The No. 2 duo of junior Piper Ferch and freshman Erin Inskeep dropped their matchup in three sets. After losing the first set 21-10, the duo picked up a 21-16 win but picked up the third set.
The No. 5 pairing of Piper Naess and Logan Walter earned the final win for the Mustangs after winning in two sets.
Their 16-match win streak came to an end, but Cal Poly now looks ahead to regain their momentum next weekend as they return home for the annual Center of Effort Challenge on April 12 and 13 at the Swanson Beach Volleyball Complex.
Cal Poly will host teams from No. 4 Florida State, No. 10 LMU, No. 1 UCLA, No. 3 Pepperdine, No. 9 Long Beach State, and No. 5 TCU.
The Mustangs will begin the Center of Effort Challenge on Friday, April 12 at 1:45 p.m. against No. 4 Florida State.