Cal Poly Volleyball (12-6, 8-0 Big West) is turning heads this season, riding momentum that has brought the program its best Big West start since 2019.
After a crucial weekend of back-to-back home wins over Cal Baptist (3-16, 0-8 Big West) and UC Riverside (4-15, 0-8 Big West), the Mustangs have firmly established themselves as the team to beat in conference play.
Carrying the target on their backs as the reigning standard-bearer comes with intense pressure, but head coach Caroline Walters noted the group has learned to look past external expectations.
“If you’re trying to chase something from last year, you’re never going to find it,” Walters said. “So let’s be really present in the day-to-day and see what we can build together and make this a really special, memorable season.”
For players like junior outside hitter Kendal Beshear, handling the spotlight and playing as the hunted team is viewed through an entirely positive lens.
“I think as a collective group, we’ve just kind of accepted that and taken that as an honor, like a privilege,” Beshear said. “We get to come in every week and get a little bit better to then go play these teams who want to kill us.”
Maintaining that level of focus requires blocking out distractions. While an outside perspective may focus on streaks and historical records, Beshear emphasizes that the team’s approach remains rooted in simplicity.
“It’s all just kind of like day by day and week by week and taking each team as it comes,” Beshear said. “Not listening to the noise and not allowing it to come in and build up pressure that is honestly unnecessary.
That philosophy was severely tested during a gritty five-set battle against California Baptist, where the Lancers pushed the Mustangs to the limit. Coach Walters pointed out that tight moments require composure, not panic.
“This group needs me to stay super calm and keep reminding them of ways that they can get a little bit better here and there,” Walters said. “It’s not yelling; it’s just consistently staying good about our messaging and our game plan.”
As the season moves toward November, Coach Walters emphasizes foundational leadership values centered on selflessness, curiosity and continuous improvement.