ARCATA – The Humboldt State volleyball team fought hard but fell in three sets to nationally ranked No. 18 Cal Poly Pomona, Saturday. The Jacks' overall record dropped to 9-15 and to a 7-10 California Collegiate Athletic Association mark. The Broncos' improved their overall record to 16-6 and post a 13-4 CCAA record.

“We battled pretty hard tonight,” Humboldt State head volleyball coach Sue Woodstra said. “We would get on streaks but we just were not able to finish.”

During the first set, a rotation error by the Broncos helped the Jacks come within a point at 13-12, before an attacking error on the Broncos tied the set 13-13. But a five-point run for a 21-14 score gave CPP the lead it needed to finish the set 25-16.

Putting up their strongest fight of the night, the Jacks made their presence known, as they were down 4-0 in the second set. Behind Dani Nelson's serve HSU registered five unanswered points with a service ace and back-to-back kills from Joliann Arzadon and Lynsey Adams, while taking advantage of two Broncos' errors. But the CPP took back its lead after tying HSU 5-5. The Jacks kept fighting for hopes of a comeback at 23-22 before a kill from Jenna Young and an attacking error on HSU concluded the set 25-22.

In similar fashion, the Broncos went on a four-point run to begin set three. A quick set from Arzadon lead to Daniele Well's kill to tie the set at 8-8 and give HSU its lone lead of the set. A big block from Toni Kroeker and Megan Barrenchea kept HSU's momentum going for a 10-9 lead. CPP fought back with three kills and a service and took advantage of two errors to regain its lead that never let up for a 25-17 final score.

Arzadon tallied team-highs seven kills and nine digs, while dishing out 10 assists. Kroeker's .667 hitting percentage lead the Jacks, while Liz Shannon contributed 12 assists and Nelson tied Arzadon in digs.

Vanessa Williams' 17 kills and .577 hitting percentage paced the Broncos, while Jasmine Davis collected 36 assists and Rafaela Rosa contributed a team-high 10 digs.

The Lumberjacks continue CCAA play as they host Cal State San Bernardino Saturday at 7 p.m. in Lumberjack Arena.

Short Box Score (Match)
#18 Cal Poly Pomona vs Humboldt State
(Nov 07, 2008 at Arcata, Calif.)
Cal Poly Pomona def. Humboldt State 25-16,25-22,25-17

Cal Poly Pomona (16-6, 13-4 CCAA) (Kills-aces-blocks) -
WILLIAMS, Vanessa 17-1-4; HOFMANS, Anne-Marie 8-1-1; YOUNG, Jenna
8-0-2; NEWMAN, Allie 4-0-2; DIAZ, Elizabeth 3-3-4; DAVIS, Jasmine
2-0-0; McNEESE, Kristen 1-0-0; ALBERI, Courtney 1-0-0; ROSA, Rafaela
0-2-0; Totals 44-7-6.5. (Assists) - DAVIS, Jasmine 36. (Dig leaders) -
ROSA, Rafaela 10; YOUNG, Cally 8

Humboldt State (9-15, 7-10 CCAA) (Kills-aces-blocks) - ARZADON,
Joliann 7-0-0; KROEKER, Toni 5-0-2; ADAMS, Lynsey 5-1-0; BRINEY,
Mallory 4-1-2; WELLS, Danielle 4-0-1; BARRENCHEA, Megan 3-0-1; NELSON,
Dani 0-1-0; Totals 28-3-4.0. (Assists) - SHANNON, Liz 12; ARZADON,
Joliann 10. (Dig leaders) - ARZADON, Joliann 9; NELSON, Dani 9

Site: Arcata, Calif. (Lumberjack Arena)
Date: Nov 07, 2008   Attend: 175   Time: 1:20
Referees: Ron Buck, Rick McQuown