ARCATA — (Sept. 14) Humboldt State's volleyball team put up a fight against the No. 1 nationally ranked CSU San Bernardino Coyotes, but ultimately fell in straight sets, 30-26, 30-19, 30-21, Friday night in Arcata.

The Lumberjacks fall to 5-6 overall and 1-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association while the Coyotes improve to 11-1 overall and 3-0 in league play.

Humboldt got off to a strong start in the first game, scoring its first three points on block assists by Danielle Wells and Mallory Briney and holding a 16-15 lead midway through the game. CSUSB turned it on late in the game, however, pulling out the four-point win.

“I was happy with the way we started the match,” said interim HSU head coach James Kealalio. “The stuff that gave (CSU San Bernardino) points was our passing and our service errors.”

The Coyotes stretched their lead earlier in the second and third games, hitting at averages of .382 and .238, respectively, in the two games.

Jessica Granados finished the night with a match-high 14 kills for CSU San Bernardino while Katie Norkunas led the Lumberjacks with 10 kills.

One area of play that shined for Humboldt was its block, totaling nine team blocks in the match, including four each by Wells, Briney and Toni Kroeker.

“Our block showed up and that was nice to see,” said Kealalio. “We just need to work on stringing good plays together and taking advantage of opportunities.”

The Jacks return to the court Saturday night when they host Cal Poly Pomona at 7 p.m. in a CCAA match-up.

#1 CSU San Bernardino vs Humboldt State (Sep 14, 2007 at Arcata, Calif.)

CSU San Bernardino def. Humboldt State 30-26,30-19,30-21

CSU San Bernardino (11-1, 3-0 CCAA) (Kills-aces-blocks) - GRANADOS, Jessica 14-3-1; HALL, Ashtin 7-1-0; CHAFEH, Jane 7-0-0; OLHAUSEN, Lindsey 6-0-1; RICE, Sara 6-1-3; HOFFMAN, Sara 5-0-1; DRAWN, Sharea 4-1-2; BATHAUER, Deanna 1-0-0; WASHINGTON, Jennifer 1-0-0; KARVER, Alicia 1-0-0; HAAS, Meghan 0-2-0; Totals 52-8-5.0. (Assists) - HOFFMAN, Sara 39. (Dig leaders) - HAAS, Meghan 14; GRANADOS, Jessica 8

Humboldt State (5-6, 1-2 CCAA) (Kills-aces-blocks) - NORKUNAS, Katie 10-0-1; SOLOMON, Olivia 5-1-1; KROEKER, Toni 5-0-4; WELLS, Danielle 5-0-4; SHANNON, Liz 3-1-1; BRINEY, Mallory 2-0-4; ADAMS, Lynsey 2-0-0; GANTT, Poerava 1-0-0; Totals 33-2-9.0. (Assists) - SHANNON, Liz 23. (Dig leaders) - CATHERINA, Kelly 13; SOLOMON, Olivia 10

Site: Arcata, Calif. (East Gym)
Date: Sep 14, 2007   Attend: 343   Time: 1:30
Referees: Tony Wu, Ray Mink

###