ARACTA – After starting slowly, the Humboldt State volleyball team downed CSU Dominguez Hills in straight sets 28-26, 25-19, 25-21 to even their record at 5-5, 1-1 and earned their first California Collegiate Athletics Association win of 2009.

“In the second and third games we limited our hitting errors which led to the win,” head coach Sue Woodstra said.

In the first set the Jacks hit only .206, but in set two that improved to .448 and in the third HSU hit at a .355 clip.  For the match the team's hitting percentage was .330.

“That team hitting percentage was very good for us and having just eight errors in 94 swings is also good,” Woodstra added.  “Today we played cleaner than we did against Cal State LA.  That helped us get into a rhythm, but we still need to work on our serving and serve receiving.”

The Jacks' attack was led by Oceana Matsubu who had 11 kills in 28 attempts and Caitlin Dugan who had nine kills in 19 attempts with no errors for an impressive  .474 hitting percentage.

“Caitlin played awfully well for us today,” Woodstra said. 

Others contributing to the win were Danielle Wells with nine kills in 16 attempts and Joliann Arzadon who had 32 assists.

“A win is always good,” Woodstra said.  “Getting wins in this conference is difficult, so we are happy with today's result.”

CCAA play continues next week as Humboldt State travels to Sonoma State on Wednesday, CSU Monterey Bay on Thursday and San Francisco State on Friday.  All matches are set for 7 p.m. starts.