LOS ANGELES – Cal Poly Pomona volleyball suffered a heartbreak fifth-set loss on Saturday night, falling to host Cal State LA in a non-conference match to conclude the Cal State LA Invitational. The No. 19 ranked Broncos fall to 2-4 overall on the season after set scores of 27-25, 20-25, 25-18, 16-25, and 13-15.
 
Sarah Ybarra once again shined for CPP on Saturday, posting season-highs of 23 kills and 26 digs for her sixth consecutive double-double to open the season. Ybarra's all-around performance across the three-game tournament garnered Cal State LA Invitational All-Tournament team honors – marking the fourth time in her career she has received similar accolades. Ybarra leads the entire CCAA in kills per set (4.12) and points per set (4.68), while also ranking 23rd in the nation in both categories.
 
The Broncos did not go down lightly, taking a thrilling first set in extra points before momentum shifted back and forth the rest of the way. The opening frame saw CPP erase a late 24-21 deficit, taking six of the last seven points to claim a 27-25 victory. After Cal State LA evened the match in the second, CPP regained control in the third with a steady offensive rhythm led by Ybarra and Elle Walker, with Walker adding 16 kills and three block assists on the night to help the Broncos take a 2-1 lead.

"I've been really proud of how this group has responded to the challenge of one of the toughest preseason schedules in the country," said head coach Traci Dahl. "With several new starters stepping into bigger roles, we've shown flashes of the grit, composure, and potential that can carry us far. These early tests have exposed areas we need to tighten up, but they've also accelerated our growth."
 
Setter Kacie Caoili directed the offense with a career-high 49 assists and chipped in defensively with eight digs, as her 9.50 assists per set remain second-best in the CCAA so far this season. Charlotte Koerber added 12 kills and 12 digs for her fourth double-double of the season, while libero Kaden Young posted a season-high 19 digs in the backcourt. Hanna Schneider provided a spark in the third set with timely serving and steady play on defense, while Anastacia Garza matched a career-high with five blocks at the net.
 
Cal State LA, however, responded with a dominant fourth set, hitting .439 to force a deciding frame. In the fifth, the Broncos rallied to tie the score at 13-13, but the Golden Eagles managed the final two points to close the night, leaving CPP just short in a 3-2 battle.
 
Cal Poly Pomona finished the match with 64 kills, 82 digs, and 8.0 team blocks, with Ybarra, Walker, and Koerber forming a balanced trio of scoring threats. The Broncos will now turn their attention to conference play with their CCAA Opener later this coming week.

"As we shift our focus to the CCAA opener," continued Dahl, "I'm confident this experience is going to serve us well—we're learning quickly, and this team is only going to keep rising."
 
 
Up Next
The Broncos will face Chico State in their CCAA opener this coming Thursday, September 18^th, at 5:00 PM in Chico. The Broncos are in the middle of an eight-match win streak against the Wildcats dating back to 2018, while CPP is 34-19 all-time against Chico.
 
 
Bronco Bits

• The Broncos are now 46-54 all-time against Cal State LA dating back to 1980.
• Traci Dahl is now 104-43 (.707) as head coach of the Broncos.
• Now in its 45th season, CPP Volleyball is 825-551 (.600) all-time with a 251-216 (.537) record in away matches.
• Cal Poly Pomona is an impressive 28-7 (.800) in non-conference regular season matches since the start of the 2021 season.
• The last time CPP was 2-4 to start the season was 2019.