(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) PLNU Volleyball's historic season came to an end on Thursday night in the NCAA West Regional First Round, as Cal Poly Pomona defeated Point Loma in three sets (25-22, 26-24, 25-19).
Making its second-ever NCAA regional appearance, PLNU got off to a fast start, taking an 11-5 lead after a 6-0 run highlighted by a pair of
Torina Hommes kills.
The Sea Lions led by as many as eight in the opening set but with a 21-15 advantage, CPP went on a 10-1 streak to close out the set, including scoring the final seven points.
Point Loma took back momentum in the second set, as kills from
Anna Massari and
Abigail Nua put PLNU ahead 16-9, only for the Broncos to storm back with a 7-0 run to tie the set at 16 apiece.
The Sea Lions responded though, as
Grace Hicks and
Brooke Hanshumaker combined for a block to put the sixth seed up 23-18 before Nua gave Point Loma set point at 24-20. However, CPP scored the next six points to take a two-set-to-none lead.
Point Loma kept battling in the third set, even after the third-seeded Broncos took an early 8-3 advantage. The Sea Lions got back to within two on multiple occasions in an effort to prolong their season but unfortunately Cal Poly Pomona pulled away in the end.
Massari and Nua both recorded 10 kills apiece to lead PLNU's offense.
Sophia Baugh (20 assists, 11 digs) and
Maggie Wolf (12 assists, 10 digs) both recorded double-doubles from their setter position, while
Bailey Williams led the defense with a career-high 22 digs.
Point Loma finishes the season with a 21-7 overall record, setting a new NCAA-era program record for wins in a single season after winning its first-ever PacWest Conference championship.
POSTGAME INTERVIEW
