The first of the last two scheduled Blue-Green rivalry games, hosted at the Thunderdome, ended with a Cal Poly sweep (25-19, 25-13, 25-17), continuing its undefeated Big West streak.
The Mustangs (13-6, 9-0 Big West) are on a 9-game winning streak and continue their best Big West start since 2019, tying the previous record. Meanwhile, the Gauchos fall at home (10-10, 6-3 Big West) after going on a two-game winning streak.
The first set saw both teams trade scores and two early ties before Cal Poly went on a scoring run to take the lead and begin pulling away. In a gritty first set, there were a record 15 errors combined by both teams. Despite the mistakes, the Mustangs still dominated the first set; Santa Barbara never took a lead, and Cal Poly finished 25-19.
The second set provided a fierce Cal Poly showing. There was not one record tie or lead change. At one point, the Mustangs went on a 12-1 scoring run and led by as much as 15 points. All while holding the Gauchos to an emphatic -0.031 hitting percentage, leading to another set win by Cal Poly, 25-13.
The third set became more competitive, with three ties, an obvious effort by Santa Barbara to avoid the sweep in this first of two rivalry games. Unfortunately for the Gauchos, Cal Poly completed the set sweep convincingly, 25-17.
The Mustangs were able to record a hitting % of .384, while providing double-digit kills in each set, totaling 38 kills; they also had 32 digs and 9 blocks, having an even spread of 3 per set. The Gauchos were held to a .085 hitting percentage, 31 kills, 21 digs, and a striking 23 errors.
Emma Fredrick led Cal Poly in kills, digs, points, and attacks, recording 14 kills, 10 digs, 15 points, 28 attacks, and a .321 hitting percentage. Breklyn Pulling also had a solid game, tallying 13 kills, 13.5 points, and an .867 hitting percentage.
Looking to continue their undefeated streak in the Big West, the Mustangs now head back home to the Mott’s Center to host the Gauchos in the second set of the final scheduled game against their Blue-Green rivals this season on Cancer Awareness night on Oct. 24 at 7 P.M.