ARCATA — After playing 10 of their first 13 matches at home, Humboldt State's volleyball team (5-8, 2-7) travels this week, beginning a stretch of four straight away matches. The Lumberjacks face San Francisco State (9-6, 5-5) on Friday before heading to Southern California to take on Cal Poly Pomona (8-6, 5-5) on Saturday. Both matches begin at 7 p.m.
Head-to-Head
HSU is now 18-37 all-time after losing twice to San Francisco State last season. …Humboldt State trails Cal Poly Pomona historically, winning only once and losing 11 times.
Multimedia
Video streaming of home matches will again be featured through the Lumberjacks' web site at the following link:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/humboldt-state-athletics. Live statistics for all HSU home matches can be accessed at http://livestats.internetconsult.com/humboldt/wvball/ while the event is in progress. When Humboldt State is traveling, please check the hosting opponent's web site for streaming or live stats services.
Head Coach Sue Woodstra
An Olympic silver-medalist as both an athlete and a coach, Sue Woodstra begins her ninth season guiding the Lumberjacks. … Woodstra took a year and a half leave of absence from the Lumberjack program for the 2007 and beginning of the 2008 seasons. In June 2007, at the helm of the USA National Team, she coached the indoor women's volleyball team to a bronze medal at the Pan American Games. She continued serving Team USA as first assistant coach during its run to the silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. …Woodstra served as captain as a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team that earned a silver medal at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.…Woodstra is the 10th head coach in the history of the volleyball program at Humboldt State.
Lumberjack Notes
Though competitive throughout, the Lumberjacks didn't produce the desired results in three-set losses to Cal State San Bernardino and UC San Diego at home last week. Head coach Sue Woodstra observed that measures can be taken to reverse that trend, and is looking for her team to respond. "I thought we played okay, but we lack that ability to push over the hurdle late in a set," Woodstra said. "Our chemistry is okay, and we're still working hard." …Blocking continues to be a team strength, and an area that HSU leads the California Collegiate Athletic Association in with an average of 2.36 blocks per set. That number places the Lumberjacks No. 12 nationally in the same category. The Lumberjacks are also listed nationally in the digs per set category, placed 44th with an average of 17. …Senior outside hitter Oceana Matsubu is among the best in the CCAA, ranking second with an average of 4.05 kills per set. She also ranks third in scoring with 4.78 kills per set. "Osh has been steady most of the year," Woodstra said. "She's our most consistent player."
Opponents' Notes
San Francisco State had won five consecutive matches before losing to travel partner Cal Poly Pomona in four sets last week. The Gators are in the middle of the CCAA pack in sixth place. …As a team, the Gators rank third in league with 13.46 kills per set. …Setter Iris Tolenada is third in league in assists with 10.56 per set. …Cal Poly Pomona is another hot team, having claimed four straight victories heading into the weekend. All of the matches ended in four sets. …Four Broncos' players are in triple figures in kills, led by Karissa Lagmay's 111.
Woodstra's Words
“San Francisco State has been playing well. They beat some very good teams during their winning streak. Some of their seniors and also transfers are contributing." …"Cal Poly Pomona is coming off the win over SFSU in tight sets. One of their strengths is their blocking ability." …"I believe we can still step up another gear from how we've been playing. We need to do that at the end of sets."
