ARCATA — Despite an valiant effort to send the seniors out in style, Humboldt State was unable to stop No. 11 UC San Diego from claiming a 27-25, 25-22, 18-24, 25-10 California Collegiate Athletic Association victory in the Jacks' season finale Friday.

Elaine Chen's pinpoint sets were repeatedly put away by her hard-hitting teammates, helping UCSD hold off the Jacks. Chen finished the night with 50 assists, also adding two service aces to help the Tritons improve to 21-5 overall and 15-5 in the CCAA.

Putting up big numbers in their final matches as Lumberjacks were Humboldt State seniors Lynsey Adams, who had 14 kills, Mallory Briney, with 12, and Liz Shannon, who added 22 assists and eight digs. Humboldt State ended its season 9-17 overall and 7-12 in league contests.

Pacing UC San Diego's offense Katie Condon and Rebecca Bailey, who contributed 20 and 16 kills, respectively. Roxanne Brunsting had 22 digs and Sylvia Schmidt four blocks to lead the Tritons' defense.

"We came out tonight and competed very well," HSU head coach Sue Woodstra said.  "We stepped up and made plays. We created opportunities. UC San Diego is a very good team, but we stayed with them."

Following a slow start in the opening set, Humboldt State battled back from a four-point deficit to take a 7-5 lead on Jo Arzadon's kill. Humboldt led by three points before the Tritons put together a run that moved them back in front, 15-14 on Hillary Williamson's successful attack.

Humboldt State led 20-18 following a UCSD service error, and after a brief challenge, another Triton miscue provided Humboldt State with set point at 24-21. UC San Diego kept the outcome in doubt, finally drawing even at 24-24 on an HSU net violation and moving ahead on another. The marathon finally ended on an HSU attacking error.

In the second set, HSU rallied following a disputed point that went to the Tritons, Briney's tip pulling the Jacks even at 20-20. The Jacks forged a 22-21 lead, only to watch the Tritons come up strong in the stretch again, Michelle Torres' service ace and Condon's kill finishing off the second set.

Humboldt State refused to fold in the third set, trailing early but gaining a lead it wouldn't relinquish when Briney's kill moved HSU up, 11-10.  Consistent hitting fueled a run that allowed the Jacks to move ahead 23-18, and a stroke down the line by Arzadon provided set point. Toni Kroeker and Briney combined for the block that ended it in the Jacks' favor.

UCSD bounced back in the fourth set, rolling along behind Condon's powerful hitting. The freshman outside hitter knocked down six of her kills and Williamson contributed three service aces during an 15-1 run that helped the Tritons put away the match.

As they had most of the season, the Lumberjacks outblocked their opponents, coming away with a 19-8 advantage. Kroeker had four block assists and one solo for the Jacks, and Danielle Wells added five block assists.

"This has been a very enjoyable season," Woodstra said. "We'll have a chance now to reflect on what they've accomplished."

  UC San Diego def. Humboldt State 27-25,25-22,18-25,25-10

  UC San Diego (21-5, 15-4 CCAA) (Kills-aces-blocks) - CONDON,
  Katie 20-0-0; BAILEY, Rebecca 16-0-1; SCHMIDT, Sylvia 12-1-4;
  WILLIAMSON, Hillary 6-3-0; POTTER, Kaitlin 3-0-0; BRADLEY, Lauren
  1-0-1; BRUNSTING, Roxanne 1-0-0; MCCANN, Thalia 1-0-0; TORRES,
  Michelle 0-1-0; CHEN, Elaine 0-2-2; Totals 60-7-4.0. (Assists) - CHEN,
  Elaine 50. (Dig leaders) - BRUNSTING, Roxanne 22; TORRES, Michelle 9

  Humboldt State (9-18, 7-13 CCAA) (Kills-aces-blocks) - ADAMS,
  Lynsey 14-0-2; ARZADON, Joliann 12-0-2; BRINEY, Mallory 12-1-2;
  KROEKER, Toni 6-0-5; WELLS, Danielle 4-0-5; BARRENCHEA, Megan 3-0-2;
  GALLETLY, Marissa 0-0-1; SHANNON, Liz 0-1-0; NELSON, Dani 0-1-0;
  Totals 51-3-10.0. (Assists) - SHANNON, Liz 22; ARZADON, Joliann 17.
  (Dig leaders) - ARZADON, Joliann 17; NELSON, Dani 15; ADAMS, Lynsey
  11; SHANNON, Liz 8

  Site: Arcata, Calif. (Lumberjack Arena)
  Date: Nov 14, 2008   Attend: 186   Time: 1:59
  Referees: Kevin Long, Tyrone Toloy