SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cal Poly volleyball head coach Jon Stevenson and student-athletes Hailey Fithian, Ashley Bertoni and Dominique Olowolafe paused preparations for the program’s defense of consecutive Big West Conference titles to host an exhibition presentation for more than 200 youth players at Waller Park in nearby Santa Maria Saturday afternoon.

Hosted in conjunction with the United States Youth Volleyball League – an organization that promotes participation in the sport for children ages seven through 14 – Cal Poly’s community outreach opportunity not only included the exhibition, but question-and-answer and autograph sessions with Stevenson and the Mustang players.

“The opportunity to promote our sport and the Cal Poly program was a tremendously-positive experience for all involved,” said Stevenson, the 2007 Big West Coach of the Year. “Aside from the demonstration, we were also able to promote our fall home matches and July youth camps. Overall, Saturday was successful in helping to increase Cal Poly’s fan base on the central coast.”

In addition to Olowolafe (above) – a member of the 2007 Big West All-Freshman Team and United States Women’s National A2 Team – Cal Poly returns five starters from last season’s Mustang squad that posted a 23-8 record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament regional round for the initial time in 22 seasons. In winning the second-straight Big West crown, the 2007 Mustangs established program records for both conference victories (15) and league winning percentage (.938). Cal Poly’s final No. 11 ranking in the AVCA Division I Coaches Poll was the program’s highest since Nov. 18, 1986.