TURLOCK — The 17th ranked Cal Poly Pomona Broncos were challenged by host Stanislaus State — particularly in the first set — as one of the top teams in the country ended the Warriors' 2018 season Thursday.

The Warriors took Cal Poly Pomona to 28 points in the first set until Cal Poly Pomona prevailed in straight sets, 28-26, 25-15, 25-18, in the first quarterfinal match of the tournament.

Stanislaus State completed its season 16-11, tying the program's best record since winning 19 matches in 2002. The 2015 team also finished 16-11.

"I am just very proud of how we came out on fire in the first set. Even though it didn't turn out how we would have hoped but for them to show a lot of potential our team has," head coach Mallori Gibson-Rossi said.

Sierra Adams, an All-CCAA selection and just a junior, led the Warriors with 17 kills on another prolific hitting game (.279). Ramey Gardner had 12 kills and Jordon Wilson chipped in six.
 
Sophomore libero Chelsey Berry led with 17 digs and sophomore setter recorded 36 assists and 14 digs.
 
Cal Poly Pomona held to be too strong as the Broncos improved to 22-4 record. They were led by Kristen Hamlin's 17 kills and four blocks. Kira Zimmerman had 42 kills and 12 digs. Alex Bollier led with 19 digs.
 
As a team, the Broncos had 16 total blocks against the zero from Stan State.

 

Set one was a tight as teams traded rallies and momentum. Alana Wilson-Reid helped hold-off a Pomona set-point with a kill to tie at 25-25. Then Gardner gave the Warriors gave Stan State the lead at 26-25.
 
But two straight kills by Andrea Bosnic and a spike Ally Wilder gave Pomona the win.
 
The Broncos would heat-up on offense, hitting .351 in set two and .414 in set three to run away with the match.
 
This was the third appearance in the CCAA tournament in the last four years for Stanislaus State. The 2015 team posted the program's first postseason win when that squad beat UC San Diego in the first round.