ARCATA — Going up against the nation's No. 3 ranked team is a daunting task, but Humboldt State held its own despite that challenge Friday before falling 25-19, 25-20, 25-23 in California Collegiate Athletic Association volleyball action.

Keeping every set in doubt, the Lumberjacks threatened to steal a victory in the third when they led 23-21. But following a timeout, the Tritons showed why they've earned their lofty ranking, rallying for four straight points to close out the match.

The victory improved UCSD's record to 17-1 overall and 9-1 in CCAA matches. Humboldt State fell to 6-12 and 2-8 in league.

"We competed well tonight, and did a good job of following our game plan," HSU head coach Sue Woodstra said. "The manner in which we played we consistent, but aggressive, and that's something we can take into tomorrow's match."

The Jacks will welcome Cal State East Bay into Lumberjack Arena for Saturday's 7 p.m. match.

On Friday, Oceana Matsubu and Danielle Wells led the Lumberjacks' attack, putting down 10 kills each. Dani Nelson contributed 14 digs, and Jo Arzadon had four block assists for HSU.

UC San Diego was paced by Katie Condon's 11 kills and nine from Lauren Bradley. Roxanne Brunsting came up with 18 digs whle Cara Simonson and Brunsting each served three aces.

Humboldt State squeezed ahead 11-9 in the opening set when Arzadon put away a kill. The Tritons rallied behind the serve of Cara Simonsen, eventually moving up 19-13 on her ace and maintaining the rest of the set.

The Tritons forged a seven-point lead in the second set, moving up 19-12 on a Lumberjack attack error. HSU rallied, cutting the advantage to 21-19 with Matsubu's kill before UCSD pulled away to the win.

HSU and UCSD played through a tight third set before the Jacks grabbed an advantage, Callan Finney's kill giving them a 23-21 lead. But an ace by Brunsting and another Condon kill finished off the match in the Tritons' favor.

UC San Diego def. Humboldt State 25-19,25-20,25-23

  UC San Diego (17-1, 9-1) (Kills-aces-blocks) - CONDON, Katie
  11-2-2; SCHMIDT, Sylvia 10-1-0; BRADLEY, Lauren 9-0-1; SIMONSEN, Cara
  6-3-3; FREIDENBERG, Julia 4-0-2; CHEN, Elaine 2-0-0; BRUNSTING,
  Roxanne 0-3-0; WERHANE, Janessa 0-1-0; Totals 42-10-5.0. (Assists) -
  CHEN, Elaine 31. (Dig leaders) - BRUNSTING, Roxanne 18; CHEN, Elaine 5

  Humboldt State (6-12, 2-8) (Kills-aces-blocks) - WELLS,
  Danielle 10-1-3; MATSUBU, Oceana 10-0-1; FINNEY, Callan 6-0-1;
  DROBISH, Allison 5-0-3; ARZADON, Joliann 2-0-4; KALBRENER, Lesley
  1-0-0; NUSS, Emily 0-1-0; Totals 34-2-6.0. (Assists) - ARZADON,
  Joliann 28. (Dig leaders) - NELSON, Dani 14; NUSS, Emily 9

  Site: Arcata, Calif. (Lumberjack Arena)
  Date: Oct 09, 2009   Attend: 132   Time: 1:26
  Referees: Rick McGown, Tony Wu