ARCATA — The first of two preseason tournaments finds the Lumberjacks in Rohnert Park, where they'll participate in the Seawolf Spike. Humboldt State begins the event with a 2 p.m. match against Central Washington on Friday, and returns to the court at 7 p.m. to face Dominican University. Saturday's action includes the Jacks vs. Northwest Nazarene at 2 p.m. and a 7 p.m. match against Western Oregon.
LiveStats
Live statistics for all HSU home matches can be accessed at http://livestats.internetconsult.com/humboldt/wvball/ while the event is in progress. Availability for this weekend's tournament on the road is uncertain at presstime.
Head-to-Head
Humboldt State is on the short side of a 3-14 record all-time against Central Washington, a school the Jacks last faced in 2005. …The Lumberjacks are 6-0 in the historical series against Dominican University, the most recent meeting coming in 1999. …Northwest Nazarene holds a 12-1 record against HSU, knocking off the Lumberjacks in three during 2007. …Humboldt State is 7-15 all-time against Western Oregon after falling to the Wolves in five during the 2008 season.
Lumberjack Notes
Selected as tri-captains this fall are senior Danielle Wells, and juniors Jo Arzadon, and Emily Nuss. …Following double-days, head coach Sue Woodstra and assistant coach James Kealalio are still in the process of deciding which players will redshirt the 2009 season. …Minor aches and pains have followed the Jacks throughout preseason workouts, but no major limiting injuries have resulted. …Senior Danielle Wells begins the season with 274 career blocks, moving her into No. 3 on the Jacks' all-time list. She needs 44 more to take over the No. 2 spot, and 69 to become the HSU all-time leader. Hall-of-Famer Jennifer Lundeen established the HSU current HSU career best of 342 while playing for the Jacks from 1994-97. …Last week's practices included a fair amount of scrimmaging, giving the coaches a chance to see where progress remains to be made. “We identified some little aspects of the game that we need to clear up, and that's what we'll focus on this week,” HSU head coach Sue Woodstra said.
Lumberjack Links
Follow this link or paste it in your browser to access the current Lumberjack roster: http://hsujacks.com/roster.aspx?path=vball&. For current statistics following the weekend's matches, visit http://hsujacks.com/custompages/vball/2009/teamstat.htm?path=vball.
Opponents Notes
Central Washington posted a 16-12 overall record in 2008, finishing 8-8 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference matches to place fifth in league. Top returners include Erin Norris, who averaged 2.52 kills per game, and Kady Try, who contributed 2.59 per contest. The pair ranked Nos. 2 and 3 for the Wildcats in kills and hitting percentage. …Dominican University begins its first season as a member of NCAA Division II and will compete in the Pacific West Conference. Playing in the CalPac Conference a year ago, the Penguins posted an 11-3 league record and were 11-11 overall. Senior hitter Gabby Pecora and sophomore setter Brooke Swingle, both CalPac first team all-conference last year, are back to lead Dominican. … Northwest Nazarene returns 11 letterwinners from last year's 16-9 team that placed third in the GNAC with a 10-6 league record. The Crusaders are led by 2008 all-GNAC selections Cammy Dranginis and Lindsay Grant. In the GNAC preseason coaches poll they were projected to finish third again this year. …Ranked No. 24 in the AVCA preseason poll, the Western Oregon Wolves offer a formidable challenge in the tournament finale. The Wolves achieved 22-3 record in 2008, winning 15 of 16 conference contests. Led by returning seniors Laura Sakala, a middle blocker, and Amy Herron, a setter, Western Oregon was chosen to place second behind Western Washington in the GNAC coaches poll.
Woodstra's Wisdom
“When we left the GNAC (following the 2005 season), we felt like we were moving up among the league's programs. It will be good to see how we match up with some of these teams now.” … “Our returning players are certainly ready to get the season started. They're getting tired of facing one another in practice and are anxious to get out there and face different faces across the net.”
