Cal Poly Beach Volleyball celebrated their new No. 11 ranking in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll with a sweep at their tournament over the weekend in Long Beach, Calif.
After facing four of the top 15-ranked opponents last weekend, the Mustangs (10-2) are now the second-highest-ranked team in the Big West.
The Mustangs started their tournament on Saturday with a 5-0 sweep against Santa Clar n a (2-6) and followed up with another win against No. 13 Florida International University (11-2) by a score of 3-2.
Carrying their victory into Sunday, the Mustangs earned another pair of wins against No. 18 Stetson (7-5) and Southern Miss (4-8).
Saturday vs. Santa Clara
Cal Poly started their weekend with a sweep against the Santa Clara Broncos.
Leading the Mustangs onto the sand courts Saturday morning was the No. 1 pair of redshirt sophomore Ella Connor and sophomore Izzy Martinez. They set the winning streak right from the start, taking down their opponent in just two sets.
Also finishing off the Broncos in straight sets was the No. 2 duo, junior Piper Ferch and freshman Erin Inskeep, the No. 3 spot with senior Piper Naess and freshman Logan Walter, and the No. 5 pair, senior Julia Soeller and junior Abbey Reinard.
Saturday vs. No.13 Florida International University
The matchup against No. 13 FIU was a tougher fight for the Mustangs.
Getting things started with a 2-0 lead was No. 2 Ferch and Inskeep and No. 4 freshman Quinn Perry and junior Madison Nichols, each pair winning in straight sets.
The Panthers bounced back with two wins of their own, tying the score 2-2 and thickening the tension.
The pressure was on for No. 5 pair Soeller and Reinard, but they persevered in a tight three-set match and secured the Mustang’s victory.
Sunday vs. No. 18 Stetson
Cal Poly continued in the tournament the next day with another impressive win against No. 18 Stetson.
Claiming a 2-0 lead for the Mustangs was the No. 1 tandem Connor and Martinez, and the No. 2 pair Ferch and Inskeep.
The Stetson Hatters went down 4-1 after the No. 3 and No. 4 pairs for Cal Poly succeeded in their sets.
Sunday vs. Southern Miss
The Mustangs completed their weekend tournament in Long Beach with another 5-0 sweep against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.
Cal Poly collected each winning spot in straight sets, five with opposing scores of single digits.
The No. 5 duo Emma Zuffelato and Sydney Terell kicked things off with a 21-1, 21-9 win, followed by victories from every Mustang pair.
Hoping to keep the momentum going, Cal Poly will now look forward to its first home event of the season at the Swanson Beach Volleyball Complex next weekend.
The Mustangs will take on Pacific at 4:30 p.m. and North Florida at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 16. Then, they will face Santa Clara at 11:30 a.m. and UC Davis at 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, March 17.