LOS ANGELES – The NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship dreams for Brigham Young University and local star Claire Little-Chambers came to an unexpected end Thursday night at the Galen Center. In a gripping first-round match, the fifth-seeded BYU Cougars were defeated by the twelfth-seeded Cal Poly Mustangs in a dramatic five-set battle.
Little-Chambers, a former standout from Vista Murrieta High School and a two-time Southwestern League MVP, returned to Southern California as a key player for a strong BYU team. The Cougars entered the national tournament with high expectations, looking to make a deep run. Their journey, however, was cut short by a determined Cal Poly squad that engineered a stunning comeback.
The match was a back-and-forth contest from the start. Cal Poly claimed the opening set 25-19, signaling their intent to challenge the higher-seeded Cougars. BYU responded with authority, taking the next two sets 25-17 and 25-20. With a 2-1 lead, it appeared BYU was on track to advance to the second round.
However, facing elimination, the Mustangs elevated their performance in the fourth set. They took control midway through and held on for a 25-20 victory, pushing the match to a decisive fifth set. In the final frame, Cal Poly seized the early momentum and never let go, securing the upset with a 15-10 win and ending BYU’s season.
The match statistics reflect the intensity of the competition, which featured 26 tie scores. Cal Poly’s offense proved to be the difference-maker, as the team posted 64 kills and a .313 hitting percentage. Kendall Beshear led the Mustangs with an impressive 20 kills, while setter Emme Bullis directed the offense with 52 assists.
For BYU, the loss concluded a season that saw them earn a No. 5 seed in the national tournament. The team fought hard but ultimately could not hold off the late surge from Cal Poly.
Little-Chambers’ participation in the tournament was a significant moment for the Temecula and Murrieta volleyball communities. Her journey from a dominant high school player at Vista Murrieta to competing on a major stage in the NCAA championship highlights the level of talent developed in the region. Her success at the collegiate level continues to inspire local athletes.
Cal Poly’s victory sends them to the second round against the host, fourth-seeded USC. The Mustangs now look to continue their surprising run in the tournament, while BYU heads into the offseason after a hard-fought match brought their promising season to a close.
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