ARCATA — Three tight sets found Humboldt State on the short end of a 27-25, 25-18, 28-26 loss to Sonoma State in a California Collegiate Athletic Association volleyball match Wednesday.

Marianne Fox registered 17 kills and Ali Walker chipped in 10 kills and 19 digs to pace the Seawolves, who improved to 22-6 overall and 14-5 in the CCAA. Lynsey Adams had 11 kills and 16 digs, while Dani Nelson contributed a match-high 23 digs for the Lumberjacks, who dropped to 9-17 overall and 7-12 in league.

"We fought hard and played pretty well," HSU head coach Sue Woodstra said. "We played good defense, but were unable to finish."

Sonoma State put up a run of three straight points to gain the 15-13 lead, but couldn't pull away from the Jacks. Adams' defense sustained consecutive long rallies that helped the Jacks draw even at 21-21.

The Seawolves earned set point before Jo Arzadon put down a kill to force a timeout. The battle remained tight until a Lumberjack error finally ended it in favor of SSU.

A quicker start in the second set helped the Seawolves pull out to an 11-5 advantage before the Jacks' offense showed signs of life. Megan Barrenchea's cross-court kill and Danielle Wells' tip trimmed the lead to 11-7, and the Jacks continued to chip away, a double block by Toni Kroeker and Arzadon dropping the SSU margin to three points.

After HSU came as close as two points, back-to-back ball-handling errors proved costly in returning the momentum to Sonoma State. Three of the next four points fell for the Seawolves, who finally ended it on Fox's kill.

Set three saw the Seawolves pull ahead again, only to be reeled in by another Jacks' rally. Mallory Briney's ace got HSU within a digit at 15-14, inciting a Sonoma State timeout, and following the break an Adams' kill and a block by Wells and Marissa Galletly provided Humboldt State with its first lead since early in the match.

Walker heated up again, providing a big hit, a dig and a block that helped the Seawolves to three straight points. Nelson's ace and a block by Briney and Wells gave HSU set point before the Seawolves rallied to twice gain match point. A long hit by the Jacks finally ended it.

"We created opportunities in the first set," Woodstra said. "We didn't pursue the game well in the second set, but we came back in the third set."

Humboldt State will honor seniors Adams, Briney, and Liz Shannon when the Jacks finish the 2008 season with Friday's home match against UC San Diego.

  Sonoma State def. Humboldt State 27-25,25-18,28-26

  Sonoma State (22-6, 14-5 CCAA) (Kills-aces-blocks) - FOX,
  Marianne 17-0-1; WALKER, Ali 10-1-1; BUCKSHNIS, Rikki 7-0-3; MOORE,
  Brooke 6-0-3; HAMMONDS, Briana 3-0-0; SATHER, Kristy 3-0-1; BROWN,
  Lindsay 1-0-1; Totals 47-1-6.0. (Assists) - BROWN, Lindsay 39. (Dig
  leaders) - WALKER, Ali 19; DALL, Kelsey 17; KRENWINKEL, Taylor 14;
  SCULLY, Devin 11

  Humboldt State (9-17, 7-12 CCAA) (Kills-aces-blocks) - ADAMS,
  Lynsey 11-0-0; ARZADON, Joliann 9-1-6; WELLS, Danielle 8-0-6; KROEKER,
  Toni 4-0-7; BRINEY, Mallory 4-1-3; BARRENCHEA, Megan 2-0-0; NELSON,
  Dani 1-1-0; GALLETLY, Marissa 1-0-2; SHANNON, Liz 0-2-0; Totals
  40-5-13.0. (Assists) - SHANNON, Liz 19; ARZADON, Joliann 16. (Dig
  leaders) - NELSON, Dani 23; ARZADON, Joliann 16; ADAMS, Lynsey 16;
  SHANNON, Liz 11

  Site: Arcata, Calif. (Lumberjack Arena)
  Date: Nov 12, 2008   Attend: 107   Time: 1:31
  Referees: Tyrone Toloy, Kevin Long