Junior outside hitter Torrey Van Winden recorded her fifth double-double of the season with match-high’s in kills and digs to lead the Cal Poly volleyball team to a sweep over Long Beach State Saturday (25-18, 25-16, 25-18) inside Mott Athletics Center to extend its winning streak to 14 matches.
Van Winden finished with 13 kills and 14 digs, hitting .429 while also adding three blocks. Senior Adlee Van Winden had the second-most kills for the No. 15 Mustangs (15-1, 5-0 BWC) with 10. Freshman setter Avalon DeNecochea dished out a match-high 28 assists, senior libero Katherine Brouker notched 14 digs and sophomore Madilyn Mercer added a match-high four blocks to pace Cal Poly.
The win also extends the Mustangs’ record-breaking home winning streak to 16 straight matches dating back to 2016 and extends their Big West winning streak to 22 matches.
The two teams stayed close with each other for the majority of the first set. Neither team held a lead more than three until, with Cal Poly up 16-15, they went on a 7-1 run to take a steady 23-16 lead. Up 24-18, a kill by Adlee Van Winden sealed the set for the Mustangs 25-18. Cal Poly was able to take control of the set by holding the 49ers (10-7, 2-2 BWC) to a .111 hitting percentage.
The Mustangs came out firing to begin the second set. They were able to get out to a 9-4 lead early on. From there, Long Beach State did not get any closer than within three points. The largest run of the set came with the Mustangs up 15-12, they went on an 8-2 run to take a commanding 23-14 lead. Up 23-16, a kill by freshman Meredith Phillips followed by a Torrey Van Winden kill finished the set for Cal Poly 25-16.
The Mustangs saved their strongest offensive attack for the third set, hitting .435. The 49ers got out to a quick 4-1 lead early on. However, Cal Poly rallied back to eventually tie it at 6. The teams traded points from there until, up 10-9, the Mustangs went on a 6-2 run to take a 16-11 lead that they never gave back. The 49ers rallied to cut the lead to 19-17 at one point. From there, Cal Poly scored five straight points to take a 24-17 lead. Up 24-18, Mercer kill completed the sweep 25-18.
For the match, the only statistical category the Mustangs were not better than the 49ers in was total blocks.
Cal Poly continues its home stand next week with a week to prepare for a match against Hawai’i on Saturday, October 6. First serve from Mott Athletics Center is set for 7 p.m. Tickets for that match are available on GoPoly.com. Last season, the Mustangs swept the season series against the Rainbow Wahine for the first time since 1985.
–Provided by Cal Poly
