HAYWARD, Calif. – Cal Poly Pomona junior Sarah Ybarra delivered the single-greatest performance in program history on Saturday afternoon, recording 45 kills in the five-set win over Cal State East Bay. That mark shattered the previous school record for most in a match (33), while also tying the CCAA record and becoming the fifth-most in a match in NCAA Division II history. Ybarra is the first player in NCAA Division II to surpass the 45-kill mark since Brianna Harris of Cal State San Bernardino did so in 2004, and becomes the first player to ever do so under the current 25-point scoring format (since 2008).
 
"This accomplishment is honestly huge for me," said Ybarra. "I've always aspired to be the best and put my whole heart into what I do, and I feel like this accomplishment conveys that. This is truly a huge honor in my eyes, and I couldn't be more grateful to be where I am."
 
The historic performance comes as no surprise to Bronco fans, as Ybarra has been the heartbeat of the team all season, especially during the team's current eight-match winning streak since CCAA play started. The La Habra native finished the afternoon with 45 kills, 99 total attacks (also a school record), a .333 attack percentage, 47.0 points, 11 digs, two assists, and an ace.
 
"I honestly had no idea," continued Ybarra after the match. "I was just playing the game like I always do. I'm all about helping the team where I can and finding ways to score."
 
With the win, the Broncos remain on top of the CCAA standings with a perfect 8-0 conference record, while improving to 10-4 overall on the season.
 
Setters Alexia Zammit and Kacie Caoili helped orchestrate the offense with 55 combined assists. Defensively, Renee Nachtigall and Kaden Young anchored the back row with 21 and 20 digs, respectively. Charlotte Koerber added 17 digs of her own, while Ybarra's 11 digs contributed to her 10^th double-double of the season.
 
The Broncos opened the match strong, taking the first set 25-23. After narrowly dropping the second by a score of 24-26, CPP regrouped for a 25-20 win in the third. The Pioneers rallied to take the fourth set 25-21, setting up for an exciting finale. In the decisive fifth set, CPP traded points with the Pioneers in a tense back-and-forth battle. Ybarra's relentless swings brought the Broncos within striking distance, recording the final six straight points for CPP to claim the set at 15-13. The win marks the Broncos' eighth straight win as they remain undefeated in conference play.

"Our Broncos overcame a lot of adversity today," said Head Coach Traci Dahl. "Junior captain, Sarah Ybarra, put us on her back and carried us through the finish line! When the game went long, Sarah got stronger — 45 kills on the night, every swing was a statement: unstoppable, undeniable, unrelenting."
 
 
Up Next
The Broncos will return back to Southern California next weekend with a pair of road matches at Cal State LA and Cal State Dominguez Hills.
 
 
Bronco Bits

• The Broncos are now 24-6 all-time against Cal State East Bay dating back to 1983, including 16 straight wins since 2014.
• Traci Dahl is now 112-43 (.723) as head coach of the Broncos, including 73-24 (.753) in CCAA play.
• Now in its 45th season, CPP Volleyball is 833-551 (.602) all-time with a 420-305 (.579) record in CCAA matches.
• Cal Poly Pomona is an impressive 67-13 (.838) in CCAA matches since the start of the 2021 season.
• Since the start of CCAA play, CPP has won 24 of the 28 sets they've played in, resulting in six sweeps.
• The last time CPP was 10-4 to start the season was 2007.
• Sarah Ybarra recorded 11 digs on Thursday, officially giving her 600 kills and 600 digs in her career.
• Senior Kaden Young is 16 digs away from 1,000 in her collegiate career.