LOS ANGELES – The Jacks battled hard in the last two sets, but it wasn't enough as Humboldt State fell to Cal State Los Angeles in three straight sets (25-17, 25-21, 27-25) on Saturday night. The loss drops the Jacks to 8-14 overall, 5-13 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play. On the other hand, the win lifts the Golden Eagles to 12-11 overall and 9-9 in conference play, seals the sweep against the Jacks, and extends their winning streak to three matches.
Alexa Rosendale led the attack for the Jacks, collecting 12 kills as well as 11 digs. Ocean Matsubu added nine kills of her own, along with
Ashley Neale who led the team in hitting with a .304 hitting percentage from her nine kills.
Brooke Ferguson tried to keep the Golden Eagle's attacks at bay as she picked up 14 digs on the night but could not save them all.
The Golden Eagles took control early in the first half and never let the Jacks get any rhythm offensively. CSULA kept the lead the entire time and finished the set 25-17 off a kill from Chelsea Hamilton.
Allison Drobish started the second set with a service ace and helped the Jacks get to a 6-1 lead, but CSULA rallied from behind to never let HSU lead by more than one point for the rest of the set. Humboldt State continued to battle and broke into the 20s, but it was not enough to overturn the lead Cal State L.A. had made, as the Jacks dropped the second set 25-21.
Even with their backs against the wall, the Jacks refused to quit as they played their best game in the final set already down two sets. The Jacks battled hard, rallying from behind 21-16 to drop the lead to one point at 21-20 off a service ace from Matsubu, as well as kills from Matsubu and Neale. HSU tied the game at 25-25, but two errors left the Jacks winless on the night.
Humboldt State looks to bounce back as the Jacks travel to Southern California again next weekend to take on Cal State San Bernardino and UC San Diego.
