Box Score

POMONA – Cal Poly Pomona increased its streak of consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Association season-opening victories, but the Broncos were stretched to the limit in a 3-2 victory over conference newcomer Cal State East Bay on Friday night.

The Broncos earned a hard-fought 25-17, 19-25, 25-22, 17-25, 15-13 victory and now have won 10 straight conference season openers.

The Broncos were led by three players with double-figure kills – junior Courtney Alberi led with 13 and freshmen Taylr Kreutziger and Lindsay Poulos each had 10 as the Broncos improved to 4-4 overall.

The Broncos and Pioneers fought back-and-forth throughout the 2 hour and 16-minute match, but CPP got the advantage late.

In Game 5, the Broncos trailed 8-6 and fought back through six tied scores before earning the win.

The schools were tied at 13-13 following a service error from CPP. The Broncos called time out nad once the teams returned to the court, the Pioneers were called for a rotation error and CPP played at game and match point.

With freshman Kelly Bonja serving, sophomore Kristin McNeese fired a kill from the left side and scored when CSUEB couldn't return.

The Broncos fired a .204 attack percentage (51-21-147), but led the match with 14 block assists and nine service aces.

The Broncos were outkilled 64-51 by CSUEB, but what hurt the Pioneers were their 15 service errors.

Sukjit Athwal led the Pioneers (2-8, 0-1) with 14 kills and Ariel Ajagu had 13. The Pioneers featured a .317 attack percentage in the loss.

Cal Poly Pomona returns to Darlene May Gym on Saturday night with a match against UC San Diego. First serve is set for 7 p.m.