Box Score
LOS ANGELES — Big West champion Cal Poly has advanced to the regional semifinals after defeating No. 4 seed Southern California on their home court 3-2, in the second round of the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyall Championship with set scores of 25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 14-25, and 15-7 on Friday at Galen Center.
Cal Poly's tactical serving contributed significantly, recording eight aces against Southern California's five. Despite falling in the fourth set, Cal Poly surged back in the decisive fifth, limiting Southern California to just seven points in the race to 15.
The Mustangs improve to 27-7 and are set to travel to No. 1 seed Kentucky in the Sweet 16 of the Championhip. With this victory, Cal Poly becomes the first Big West team to advance to the regionals since 2019. It is Cal Poly's first appearance in the third round since 2007. WIth half of the second round matches completed, the Mustangs stand as the only unseeded team advancing to the third round with just two others - Florida and Michigan - playing Saturday for the opportunity to continue dancing in the brackets.
Cal Poly secured the opening set 25-19 against USC, propelled by a robust offensive performance that included multiple key kills from
Annabelle Thalken and
Kendall Beshear. Cal Poly capitalized on pivotal blocks by
Chloe Leluge and
Emma Fredrick contributing to the lead.
Cal Poly capitalized on a strong finish in the second set to secure a 25-20 victory against the Trojans. Thalken and Beshear each contributed key kills, with Beshear's attack closing a crucial gap to tie the score at 6-6 before Cal Poly took the lead. USC struggled to close the gap throughout the frame, allowing Cal Poly to finish the set on a service ace by
Ella Scott.
Cal Poly battled through a competitive third set but ultimately fell short against USC, concluding with a 25-20 score. USC's
Abigail Mullen executed a series of decisive kills late in the set, allowing the Trojans to pull away. The Mustangs struggled in the fourth set against Southern California, ultimately falling 25-14 as the Trojans forced a decisive fifth set.
Cal Poly secured a decisive victory in the fifth set, outscoring Southern California 15-7 to race into the Sweet 16. The Mustangs capitalized on six consecutive points early in the frame, including two kills by Fredrick and a service ace from Beshear, to establish an 8-3 lead. Cal Poly's defense held USC to seven points. The set ended with a service ace and a kill by
Emme Bullis, sealing the win for the Mustangs.
Bullis directed the offense with 43 assists while contributing defensively with 12 digs. Fredrick also played a significant role, with 17 kills alongside a team-leading 15 points.
Charlotte Kelly stood out in blocking, amassing six total blocks and maintaining an impressive attack percentage of .444. Elif Hurriyet was another defensive standout, matching Fredrick's 15 digs, while Beshear added to the team's efforts with 12 kills and 13 digs in the victorious effort.
Mullen registered 17 kills and was instrumental at the net with five total blocks. Reese Messer amassed 43 assists while contributing six total blocks. Leah Ford led the Trojans with seven total blocks and nine kills on .471 hitting in the loss. USC finishes the season with a 25-7 record.