FAIRBANKS, Alaska — (Sept. 1) A balanced attack and a reawakened block helped Humboldt State's volleyball team to 3-1 win over University of Hawaii Hilo Saturday afternoon in Fairbanks, Alaska.

The Lumberjacks improve to 4-3 on the season, and 1-1 in tournament play, while the Vulcans fall to 3-3 overall and 0-2 at the Nanook Classic.

Hawaii Hilo came out strong in the first game while HSU was flat, committing eight errors to go along with just 10 kills. Leading for nearly the entire game, the Vulcans claimed a 30-28 win.

“We came out slow and let (Hawaii Hilo) get ahead,” said interim HSU head coach James Kealalio. “We fought back late in the game, but couldn't get over the hump.”

Down 1-0, the Lumberjacks started to build momentum in the second and third games, winning each by a score of 30-27.

“We came out stronger in the second game, though we still weren't playing as cleanly as we can,” said Kealalio. “Then in the third game we picked it up, started connecting out passes and picking up our defense.”

The fourth game was all Humboldt State as Katie Norkunas pounded down four kills early in the game to push the Jacks ahead 9-5. From then on, Vulcan errors and timely kills by the Lumberjacks led to a 30-19 final. HSU hit .342 in the game, committing just three errors to go along with 12 kills.

“The fourth game was solid all around for the whole team,” Kealalio said. “We need everyone to play well to stay in games and we did that.”

Norkunas and Olivia Solomon collected 13 kills each while Mallory Briney chipped in 12. Defensively, Kelly Catherina picked up 24 digs while sophomore middle blocker Danielle Wells tallied seven blocks, including three solo knockdowns. Humboldt finished the match with eight team blocks and a .172 attack percentage.

The Lumberjacks have a short break in play before returning to the court against host University of Alaska Fairbanks at 8 p.m. Alaska Standard Time.

Humboldt State vs UHH-VB (Sep 01, 2007 at Fairbanks, Alaska)

Humboldt State def. UHH-VB 28-30,30-27,30-27,30-19

Humboldt State (4-3) (Kills-aces-blocks) - NORKUNAS, Katie 13-1-0; SOLOMON, Olivia 13-2-2; BRINEY, Mallory 12-2-2; BERNDT, Megahn 6-1-0; WELLS, Danielle 5-0-7; SHANNON, Liz 3-2-1; Totals 52-8-8.0. (Assists) - SHANNON, Liz 43. (Dig leaders) - CATHERINA, Kelly 24; BRINEY, Mallory 16; SOLOMON, Olivia 15; SHANNON, Liz 14; NORKUNAS, Katie 11

UHH-VB (3-3) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Seben, Fabiane 12-3-1; Bayer, Lauren 11-0-1; Bonney, Morgan 10-0-0; Pinheiro, Josimara 9-0-1; Hurley, Hillary 8-1-1; Lavea, KaUwila 8-0-0; Spadaro, Chelsea 1-0-1; Hernandez, Kaniu 1-0-0; Agader, Desiree 1-0-0; Rodriguez, Laura 0-1-0; Totals 61-5-3.0. (Assists) - Agader, Desiree 36; Spadaro, Chelsea 17. (Dig leaders) - Rodriguez, Laura 28; Pinheiro, Josimara 13

Site: Fairbanks, Alaska (Patty Center)
Date: Sep 01, 2007   Attend: 107   Time: 2:00
Referees: Ruth Olsen, Jason Moore, Cassie MacDonald

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