HAYWARD – The 21st-ranked Cal Poly Pomona volleyball team survived a scare from host Cal State East Bay, rallying in the fifth set to defeat the Pioneers, 25-14, 23-25, 25-19, 21-25, 15-9 on Thursday afternoon.
 
The Broncos, ranked eighth in this week's first official NCAA Division II West Regional poll, improved to 19-3 overall and 12-3 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play. Cal State East Bay fell to 8-15 overall and 3-12 in CCAA action.
 
As has been the theme all season long, Cal Poly Pomona was most dominant when its offense was clicking. The Broncos posted a .680 hitting percentage in the first set, and .385 marks in both the third and fifth sets – the three frames they won. Cal Poly Pomona finished the match with a .329 hitting percentage, improving on a season mark that ranks among the Division II leaders.
 
Sophomores Daisy Duke and Kaitlan Tucker, who combined for 36 kills with 21 and 15, respectively, had monster offensive outings. Tucker made just one error in 26 swings for a .538 percentage, and Duke hit .395.
 
Senior setter Kira Zimmerman had a double-double of 53 assists and 10 digs, and senior libero Brynn Sherbert fired five service aces and led all Bronco players with 17 digs. Sophomore Jazmyn Wheeler just missed a double-double of her own with nine kills and 10 digs.
 
Cal Poly Pomona finished the match with a statistical advantage in every major category, including kills (64-55), aces (12-8), digs (57-51), and hitting percentage (.329-.262).
 
Cal State East Bay was led by the 18 kills of Breyan Ashley and 13 kills from Mia Jordan.
 
Cal Poly Pomona plays its final away match of the regular season on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 6) at Cal State San Marcos. The Broncos will then have two home matches next week in Kellogg Arena against Stanislaus State and Chico State before embarking on the CCAA Championship Tournament starting Nov. 18.