POMONA – Despite coming back from a 2-0 deficit, the Cal State Dominguez Hills volleyball team nearly completed the rally, only host Cal Poly Pomona managed to escape with a five-set win (22-25, 20-25, 25-20, 25-23, 22-24) at Kellogg Arena Friday night.
 
The California Collegiate Athletic Association South Division continues to prove to be a tough group. Even though the Toros (12-11, 8-6 CCAA) lost, they still sit in a tie for fourth place in the conference standings with Cal State LA, which dropped a four-set decision down the freeway at Cal State San Bernardino. The win now puts the Broncos (11-12, 7-8 CCAA) back into the hunt for the final spot to the CCAA Tournament with three matches remaining.
 
The Toros, as a team, hit .179 on the attack. Three players had reach double-doubles on the night in Tati Yandall (18 kills/22 digs), Claire Autry (16 kills/11 digs) and Hailey Smith (15 kills/24 digs). Smith's 24 digs is a career-high, besting her 23 set in the last two contests.
 
Speaking of career-high in digs, Cathryn Lopez also had a big night with a 36, making it not only her personal-best but increasing her career number to 1,065. She is now second on the all-time list and needs 26 more to break Veronica Diaz's (1998-01) record.
 
The Toros will make the trip to the Coyotes for the final road match of the 2017 regular season Saturday at 7 p.m.