It’s been all uncharted territory for Cal Poly women’s tennis since capturing its second Big West title in program history – and first in over 20 years, dating back to 2003.
They entered the year as reigning Big West champions, aiming to defend their title and chase a third as April approached.
With a “target on their backs” — as head coach Ellie Edles Williams puts it — the team hasn’t faltered under the rising pressure and expectations.
Williams has instilled a mindset in her team that has them focusing on each swing, point, and match and not worrying about what is out of their control.
“We have to keep preparing the same way we know how,” Williams said. “That means focusing on the process and controlling what we can control, which is our effort, attitude and how hard we compete every single point.”
What she asks of her team — regardless of how they are playing — is to compete on every single ball. Even if they aren’t at their best on a given day, she knows if they’re competing, they’ll stay in the moment.
“The theme of the year is fighting for each other,” Williams said. “It’s all about going step by step and ball by ball, and competing as hard as we can even if we’re not playing at our best level.”
And with it, success has followed.
As of April 11, Cal Poly holds a 16-3 overall record and is second in the Big West at 5-1. According to ITA rankings, they are ranked No. 52 nationally, with wins over three ranked teams this season.
Only UC Santa Barbara is above them, holding an undefeated 6-0 conference record.
The Gauchos have four wins over ranked opponents, with their latest from a huge 4-2 upset win over No. 26 Pepperdine April 10.
Long Beach State and Hawaii are close behind Cal Poly, both tied for third with a 5-3 conference record.
With one final stretch before the postseason tournament on April 24-27, the Mustangs are riding a seven-match win streak into this weekend.
It’ll start with Cal State Fullerton (9-7, 3-3 Big West) Saturday at noon, followed by UC Irvine Sunday at noon as well.
The match against the Anteaters (10-8, 1-4 Big West) will be the final home contest at Ronca Tennis Center.
After the homestand, they’ll travel south for a potential first-place showdown against the Gauchos (11-8, 6-0 Big West) April 19.
“I can’t even name you one player that’s embraced competing in the moment the most,” Williams said. “All of our players are competing so well and that’s why we’ve had the success we’ve had.”
Final homestand of the season
With two home matches on tap in front of the San Luis Obispo fans this weekend, the team is in a great spot to pick up even more momentum heading into the postseason.
They have only one loss at home this year, boasting a 10-1 record in front of the new Comerford Pavilion Tennis Center.
If the Mustangs can walk away victorious in both matches, it would set them up extremely well for either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed.
The top two seeds receive a double-bye into the semifinals at the Big West tournament, held at the Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego. That means only two wins are needed to claim the title, while lower seeds must win four matches starting Thursday, April 24.
Semifinal play begins Saturday, April 26.
Regardless of how the seeding shakes out, the Mustangs will look to hand UCSB its first conference loss in their April 19 matchup.
But for a team like this, Williams keeps the focus on the matches ahead — not what’s down the line. Her team reiterates that message.
“Each day comes and you get in a good practice and when that match comes, you just focus on the present,” Buntrock said. “It’s a matter of taking everything match by match.”
A season for the books
It’s been a season full of drama and dominance for the Mustangs. Marathon matches, clutch performances, and a breakout freshman have fueled the team’s run.
But with all the dramatic wins and rankings, junior Kennedy Buntrock says the team stays grounded with a “next-match” mentality.
After opening the year with a 3-2 record, the team ripped off six consecutive wins, highlighted by a 4-3 road victory over No. 49 Sacramento State.
“It was amazing to win that match, but we knew we had another one the next day,” junior Kennedy Buntrock said. “We can relish this for a little bit, but then it’s back to work.”
The team’s highest national ranking this season came following their six-match win streak when they climbed to No. 38 in the ITA rankings.
They then suffered their only conference loss up to this point, falling 5-2 to Long Beach State on the road.
Since then, the Mustangs have strung together another win streak — now at seven matches and counting.
One was a dramatic third-set finish from freshman Jessica MacCallum, who secured a 4-3 win over No. 69 Columbia.
MacCallum has been excellent in her first year with the team. At the No. 5 line, she’s won 15 out of her last 16 matches and holds a 15-3 record on the year.
“Jessie’s been a lot of fun,” Williams said. “What I love is how competitive she is. To see her enjoying her time on the court and blossoming into a team player has been really special.”
At the No. 2 line, senior Peyton Dunkle just hit the 50-win mark in her career, the second-most in school history. She is now one win away from tying the school record of 51.
Buntrock, who plays at the No. 1 line, says that it’s a ‘privilege to play here with my best friends.’
“I truly love this team,” she said. “I think our work ethic is what separates us from other schools. It’s all about preparing and staying in the moment for us.”