Cal Poly Outlasts CSUN in Five Sets, Extends Win Streak to Eight

Saturday, November 1

Northridge, CA

6:00 PM

19-5,10-2Big West

CSUN

13-10,6-6Big West

Cal Poly

CSUN

Cal Poly Outlasts CSUN in Five Sets, Extends Win Streak to Eight

11/1/2025 10:45:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — The Mustangs showcased their resilience on Saturday, outlasting a determined CSUN squad in a five-set battle (25-18, 19-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-11) at Premier America Credit Union Arena.

With the victory, the Mustangs extended their conference-best win streak to eight straight matches and, for the second consecutive year, completed a season series sweep of both Cal State Bakersfield and CSUN.

The win improves Cal Poly's record to 19-5 overall and 10-2 in Big West play. The offense was fueled by five Mustangs recording double-digit kills, while the defense held firm in critical moments, smashing the program's single-match digs mark this season with 81 to secure the hard-fought road victory.

Cal Poly came out swinging in the opening set, firing with an efficient and aggressive offense that posted a .406 attacking percentage with 16 kills against just three errors. CSUN attempted a late rally, but the early deficit was too large to overcome as a kill from Emme Bullis sealed the 25-18 set win.

CSUN flipped the script in the second set, using a strong service game and blocks to disrupt Cal Poly's rhythm. The Matadors racked up five service aces and four team blocks, holding the Mustangs to a .000 hitting percentage. Unable to find an offensive answer, Cal Poly fell 25-19 as CSUN leveled the match.

The Mustangs stormed out of the gate in the third set, determined to regain control. Behind the service of Bullis, Cal Poly ripped off nine consecutive points to build an insurmountable 9-0 lead. Charlotte Kelly was a force at the net during the run, contributing multiple kills and blocks. CSUN chipped away to pull within a few points, but Cal Poly sealed the 25-20 victory to take a 2-1 match lead.

Refusing to go quietly, CSUN battled back in a back-and-forth fourth set that featured 15 ties and eight lead changes. The Matadors found their offensive rhythm with 17 kills, while their block continued to cause problems. Neither team led by more than three points, and with the set tied at 22-22, CSUN won three straight points to take the set 25-22 and force a decisive fifth set.

In the race to 15, the Mustangs engineered a decisive 8-2 run through the middle of the set to take an 11-6 lead. CSUN could get no closer than three points down the stretch, and a final kill from Annabelle Thalken clinched the match for Cal Poly with a 15-11 fifth-set win.

The Mustangs were led by Kelly, who tallied a team-high and career-high 15 kills with a .448 hitting percentage. Thalken added 12 kills (.458) and five blocks, while Emma Fredrick (14 kills), Kendall Beshear (12 kills), and Chloe Leluge (11 kills) also reached double figures. Bullis directed the offense with a season-high 51 assists and contributed 19 digs defensively. Elif Hurriyet led the way defensively with a season-high 22 digs.

Cal Poly once again defends its 16-match home win streak next weekend as the second-place Mustangs host co-second place Long Beach State on Friday before a matchup with UC San Diego on Saturday.