MONMOUTH, Ore. — Twelve kills from junior outside hitter Oceana Matsubu wasn't enough to keep Humboldt State from dropping its season-opening volleyball match, 25-11, 25-21 25-23 to host Western Oregon at the Phoenix Inn GNAC Conference Challenge on Friday.

Later in the day, the Jacks struggled to maintain a challenge against another Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponent, Western Washington. The Vikings sent the Jacks to their second defeat of the day, scoring a 25-17, 25-15, 25-17 win.

"We knew coming in that we'd be facing tough competition at this tournament," HSU head coach Sue Woodstra said. "There aren't any pushovers here. All of our opponents are returning experienced player from good teams."

HSU will be back on the court at the tournament Saturday, hoping to find success against opponents Central Washington and Alaska Anchorage.

Early in the opener Friday, the hosts took advantage of the Jacks' lack of attack, hitting at a .400 clip in the first set while HSU managed only five kills. The Jacks led until the 20th point of the second set, but saw the Wolves climb back to earn the win on a pair of service aces by Danielle Reese.

HSU put on a late rush in the final set, holding the Wolves off with kills from Matsubu and Callan Finney that trimmed the WOU lead to 24-23. Once again, Reese stepped up to put the ball down and seal the win for Western.

Finney added seven kills for HSU while matching Matsubu for team-high in digs at 10. Reese and Samantha Ward each had nine kills for the Wolves.

In the match against Western Washington, the Jacks kept the first set close early before the Vikings reeled off four straight points to take a 18-14 lead. The trend continued into the next two sets, with HSU leading or hanging close before WWU eventually pullled away to the wins.

"We started playing better in the first half of each set," Woodstra said. "We have to push that concentration level and focus level further. We need to mature quickly and settle down in a hurry."

Matsubu, Clara Bolster and Jo Arzadon had five kills each to pace HSU in the loss to WWU. Arzadon assumed the primary setter role in that match, and finished with 12 assists.

"Jo's setting settled us down, and she played well in whatever role we asked her to today," Woodstra said. "Oceana was steady through all six sets today."

Western Oregon def. Humboldt State 25-12,25-21,25-23

Humboldt State (0-1) (Kills-aces-blocks) - MATSUBU, Oceana
12-1-2; FINNEY, Callan 7-1-0; ARZADON, Joliann 3-1-1; DROBISH, Allison
2-1-2; MANUEL, Taylor 1-0-0; KROEKER, Toni 1-0-2; EATON, Noel 1-0-1;
Totals 27-4-4.0. (Assists) - ARZADON, Joliann 18. (Dig leaders) -
FERGUSON, Brooke 17; MATSUBU, Oceana 10; FINNEY, Callan 10

Western Oregon (2-0) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Ward,Samantha 9-0-0;
Reese,Danielle 9-7-1; Kemper,Krissi 6-0-2; Blees,Becky 6-1-1;
Herrold,Sylvia 5-0-2; Beeler,Stephanie 3-0-0; Kopra,Corynn 2-0-0;
Triggs,Megan 1-2-0; Burrows,Jorden 1-0-0; Totals 42-10-3.0. (Assists)
- Burrows,Jorden 37. (Dig leaders) - Herrold,Sylvia 16; Triggs,Megan
12; Reese,Danielle 11; Burrows,Jorden 9
Site: Monmouth, Ore. (New PE Building)
Date: Sep 03, 2010   Attend: 142   Time: 1:2
Referees: John Bryant, Jana Howarth
2010 Phoenix Inn GNAC Conference Challenge

Western Washington def. Humboldt State 25-17,25-15,25-17

Western Washington (Kills-aces-blocks) - Jepsen,Emily 10-3-1;
Jones,Bailey 9-0-4; Geary,Marlayna 7-0-0; Mertns,Kathryn 6-0-3;
Bailey,Jordyn 4-0-0; Rice,Kari 4-0-1; 15 0-3-0; Amundson,Megan 0-1-0;
Gotz,Allison 0-1-0; Totals 40-8-7.0. (Assists) - Rice,Kari 26. (Dig
leaders) - Gotz,Allison 16; Geary,Marlayna 6

Humboldt State (Kills-aces-blocks) - MATSUBU, Oceana 5-0-1;
ARZADON, Joliann 5-0-2; BOLSTER, Clara 5-0-1; DROBISH, Allison 3-0-1;
MANUEL, Taylor 3-0-0; FINNEY, Callan 3-0-0; DUGAN, Caitlin 0-1-0;
EATON, Noel 0-1-2; FERGUSON, Brooke 0-1-0; Totals 24-3-5.0. (Assists)
- ARZADON, Joliann 12. (Dig leaders) - FERGUSON, Brooke 6; MATSUBU,
Oceana 5

Site: Central High School (Newkirk Court)

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