POMONA—It's challenging for any team to win while playing on the road. The goal of going into someone else's house and stealing a victory is even more difficult when the opponent is nationally ranked and in the midst of a lengthy winning streak. That's exactly what the Chico State volleyball team ran into Friday night in Southern California, falling to a streaking Cal Poly Pomona squad that's currently No. 19 in the nation. Despite battling throughout the match, the Wildcats were bested by the Broncos 25-16, 25-17, 25-16 at Kellogg Gymnasium.
 
With Friday's loss, Chico State slipped to 9-16 overall and 5-12 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal Poly Pomona won its eighth straight match to improve to 22-3 on the season and 15-3 in conference play.
 
Makaela Keeve and Lizzie Wilson led the Wildcat offense with eight kills apiece, with Keeve adding seven digs, three blocks, and two assists to her stat line. Brooke Ono doled out 22 assists and contributed three kills, two blocks and a service ace, while Kennedy Greenwood collected seven digs and three assists for the 'Cats.
 
Cal Poly Pomona set the tone by leading wire-to-wire in the evening's opening set. Already up 9-5, the Broncos put together a 12-4 run to balloon their advantage to a dozen at 21-9. A Keeve/Ono combo block, an Ono ace, and kills by Keeve, Ono, and Bree Rodriguez pulled Chico State to within 23-16, but the Wildcats ran out of time to stage a comeback, as Pomona posted back-to-back points to secure the 25-16 win.
 
The 'Cats looked to even things up in the second set, racing out to a 5-1 lead on the strength of kills by Keeve, Wilson, and Zoe DiNardo. Chico State was still up 7-6 when the Broncos went on another 12-4 run to grab the lead at 18-11. The Wildcats kept swinging, as Keeve, Wilson, and Kelley Jacome landed kills to keep Chico State in the contest, but Pomona recorded five of the set's final seven points to prevail 25-17.
 
The Broncos built an early 7-2 lead in the third set, only to see the Wildcats whittle the deficit down to one, thanks to a Keeve/Jacome combo block and kills by Keeve, Wilson, Ono, and Jacome. With the score 10-9, Pomona proceeded to put together still another prolonged run, outscoring the 'Cats 11-3 to extend its advantage to 21-12. Rodriguez, Wilson, and Jane Mcnulty came through with kills down the stretch, but the rally was much too little and much too late, as the Broncos scored the final three points to win the set 25-16 and sweep the match.
 
Chico State concludes the 2021 season Saturday when it takes on conference regular season champion and No. 3-ranked Cal State San Bernardino (22-3, 17-0 CCAA). Fans can follow the action on the Internet with live streaming video and Live Stats. The online links are posted on the Chico State volleyball schedule page and home page calendar on the Wildcat Athletics website, at chicowildcats.com.