ARCATA — Cal State San Bernardino never had a chance to relax, but even a determined Humboldt State volleyball squad couldn't keep the No. 3 ranked Coyotes from claiming a 25-20, 25-23, 25-20 win Saturday.

Humboldt State challenged throughout the match, posting a .235 hitting percentage and outblocking the Coyotes, 6-2. Despite their efforts, the Jacks saw their overall record drop to 7-19 and California Collegiate Athletic Association mark fall to 3-15 while CSUSB improved to 24-1 and 17-1.

Ashtin Hall put down six of her 13 kills in helping the Coyotes claim the opening set. Teammate Megan Johnson was one better for the evening, finishing with a match-high 14 kills, and Jane Chafeh also hit double digits with 10 for the Coytoes.

"(CSUSB) is a deep, strong, experienced team that deserves to be ranked No. 3 in the nation," HSU head coach Sue Woodstra said. "They've a very difficult matchup for anybody, but I felt like we hit the shots we wanted and played very efficient tonight."

Humboldt State's best effort came in the second set, which saw the Jacks hold off set point three times before falling. Callan Finney started the Jacks' surge with one of her team-high nine kills.

Senior Danielle Wells, playing her final home match for HSU, posted seven kills and a .333 hitting percentage while also contributing a block solo and two block assists. The Jacks' other senior, Dani Nelson, finished with a team-high 16 digs and also served the Jacks' only two aces.

"Danielle did a great job blocking and keeping the ball in play for us tonight," Woodstra said. "Dani had a very nice defensive match, and got some streaks going for us with her serving."

HSU goes on the road this week, taking on Cal State Stanislaus on Friday and Chico State on Saturday.

    #3 CSU San Bernardino vs Humboldt State (Oct 31, 2009 at Arcata, Calif.)

  CSU San Bernardino def. Humboldt State 25-20,25-23,25-20

  CSU San Bernardino (7-19, 3-15) (Kills-aces-blocks) - JOHNSON, Megan
  14-0-2; HALL, Ashtin 13-2-0; CHAFEH, Jane 10-1-0; MOORE, Nicole 7-0-0;
  WINCHESTER, Mercedes 3-0-0; MIDDLEBORN, Samantha 3-0-0; AUCK, Alyssa
  2-0-1; CARTY, Morgan 2-0-0; TAYLOR, Rachel 1-0-0; TOLAN, Kelcie 0-3-0;
  Totals 55-6-2.0. (Assists) - AUCK, Alyssa 42. (Dig leaders) - SMITH,
  Camille 16; HALL, Ashtin 14

  Humboldt State (24-1, 17-1) (Kills-aces-blocks) - FINNEY, Callan
  9-0-1; WELLS, Danielle 7-0-3; KALBRENER, Lesley 6-0-2; MATSUBU, Oceana
  5-0-1; DROBISH, Allison 3-0-3; ARZADON, Joliann 2-0-1; NELSON, Dani
  0-2-0; Totals 32-2-6.0. (Assists) - ARZADON, Joliann 24. (Dig leaders)
  - NELSON, Dani 16; NUSS, Emily 9; ARZADON, Joliann 9

  Site: Arcata, Calif. (Lumberjack Arena)
  Date: Oct 31, 2009   Attend: 65   Time: 1:28
  Referees: Kevin Long, Tyrone Taloy