Box Score: Sonoma State 3, Cal Poly Pomona 2
ROHNERT PARK, Calif- Down 2-0 in the match and hitting negatively with 15 kills and 16 errors, the momentum favored visiting Cal Poly Pomona on Thursday night, but Sonoma State found its groove and cruised, hitting at a blistering .458 in the final three sets to survive the Broncos' upset bid and steal the 3-2 victory. The Seawolves move above .500 in the CCAA standings at 3-2 (6-3 overall). The Broncos fall to 3-7 and 1-4 in conference play.
Nothing went right for the Seawolves in the first two frames, hitting at a -.017 clip with countless unforced errors. The Broncos hit .175, including a solid opening set with 14 kills, five errors and 28 attacks (.321). Cal Poly Pomona slowed a bit in the second, hitting just .057 with ten kills and eight errors, but it was enough to grab the 25-21 and 25-17 set wins to lead Sonoma State 2-0.
However, the momentum swung before anyone could blink.
Kendahl Batiste,
Lindsay Lytle,
Ally Sather and
Brooke Moore combined for all 15 kills and no errors in the third set to steal the 25-20 win, despite seven ties and four lead changes.
The fourth set was over almost as quick as it started. Sonoma State sprinted out to a 11-1 lead and eventually extended the advantage to 15-2. Cal Poly Pomona looked as if they would regain composure, but the Seawolves would take the easy victory in the fourth frame at 25-10.
The Seawolves, who moved to 29-5 at The Wolves' Den over the past three seasons, continued hitting at a blazing hot pace, slamming 10 kills with just one error in the fifth and deciding frame to set off a well-deserved celebration on Sonoma State's side of the net following the 15-8 win.
It was the second time in three matches that the Seawolves have gone to five sets -- SSU defeated Cal State Stanislaus last Friday.
Sather led the way with 16 kills on just four errors (.300 hitting percentage), as Lytle (nine kills, one error, 12 attacks) and Batiste (nine kills, two errors, 23 swings) had stellar performances on Thursday as well and Moore added eight kills.
Keala Peterson led the back line with 16 digs and added seven kills while Lytle and
Taylor Krenwinkel recorded 12 digs.
Sonoma State will regroup and face a tough challenge in fifth-ranked Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday at The Wolves' Den. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
