ARCATA — (Sept. 8) Smart offensive play, strong defense in the back and big blocking at the net led Humboldt State's volleyball team to a 30-24, 28-30, 30-23, 30-14 win over visiting Cal State Stanislaus Saturday in Arcata.

The Lumberjacks move back to .500 on the season at 5-5, and improve to 1-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The Warriors faall to 2-8 overall and 0-2 in league play.

“This win felt good,” said interim HSU head coach James Kealalio. “We had a team meeting this morning and went over some things that we actually put together in the match.”

With Liz Shannon serving, the Lumberjacks went on a run midway through the first game to take a 15-9 lead. The Warriors closed on towards the end, but a service error by Karly Van Foeken ended the game.

Humboldt fell behind 6-1 early in the second game, but battled back to tie the score on six occasions before falling apart at the end as Debbie Vander Schaff served the final six points for Cal State Stanislaus.

Despite the loss on game-two, Humboldt rediscovered itself in the third and fourth games, including hitting .467 with 16 kills and just two errors in the deciding game.

The Jacks went up 10-1 early in the game and the Warriors wouldn't reach double figures until the score sat at 26-10.

“It was nice to see that we could come back (after losing the second game) and win the final two games,” said Kealalio. “Our defensive positioning and assignments were much better (than Friday night) and our block was also solid.”

Olivia Solomon led four Lumberjacks in double-digit kills, tallying 16 to go along with 16 digs. Kaite Norkunas had 15 kills, 19 digs and three blocks while Danielle Wells and Megahn Berndt chipped in 12 and 10 kills, respectively. Wells was the leader at the net, blocking down eight balls while Mallory Briney added five blocks.

The Jacks remain in Arcata next week, hosting Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino in a pair of CCAA matches.

Humboldt State def. CS Stanislaus 30-24,28-30,30-23,30-14

CS Stanislaus (2-8, 0-2 CCAA) (Kills-aces-blocks) - VANDER SCHAAF, Debbi 13-4-1; MUSSO, Nicole 11-0-0; LOGHRY, Megan 7-1-3; STEFFECK, Caitlin 6-0-1; VAN FOEKEN, Karly 4-1-2; GEE, Jen 3-0-0; BRITTON, Megan 0-1-0; BROWN, Nicki 0-0-1; HULLEN, Ashley 0-1-0; PUTHUFF, Marissa 0-1-0; Totals 44-9-5.0. (Assists) - SULLIVAN, Colleen 25; BROWN, Nicki 12. (Dig leaders) - BRITTON, Megan 27; SULLIVAN, Colleen 7

Humboldt State (5-5, 1-1 CCAA) (Kills-aces-blocks) - SOLOMON, Olivia 16-5-3; NORKUNAS, Katie 15-1-3; WELLS, Danielle 12-0-8; BERNDT, Megahn 10-1-2; BRINEY, Mallory 5-3-5; SHANNON, Liz 2-1-0; CATHERINA, Kelly 1-1-0; NUSS, Emily 1-0-0; Totals 62-12-11.0. (Assists) - SHANNON, Liz 53. (Dig leaders) - CATHERINA, Kelly 32; NORKUNAS, Katie 19; SOLOMON, Olivia 16; BRINEY, Mallory 10

Site: Arcata, Calif. (East Gym)
Date: Sep 08, 2007   Attend: 187   Time: 2:00
Referees: Kevin Long, Tyrone Toloy

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