ARCATA — There are just seven matches left in Humboldt State's season—four of which will be at home—for the Jacks to end the season on a positive note. The Jacks return to Lumberjack Arena this week to host Cal State East Bay on Thursday, Nov. 1, and Saturday, Nov. 3, with both matches beginning at 7 p.m.
Head-to-Head
Humboldt State has struggled against Cal State East Bay ever since the Pioneers joined the California Collegiate Athletic Association in 2009. CSUEB has won the past seven matches, including a three-set win earlier this season, even though HSU holds the upper hand in the all-time series at 39-15.
The series between Cal State Monterey Bay and Humboldt State is a little more balanced, with the Otters only taking a slight advantage with their 3-1 victory earlier this year, putting the all-time series at 7-6 in favor of CSUMB.
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Pioneer Notes
Cal State East Bay enters Thursday's match with a 9-13 overall record, 4-11 in the CCAA. The Pioneers have only grabbed two wins on the road, falling six times to the host schools. In the past three matches, CSUEB has gone into five sets, claiming two wins, including a 3-2 result over Cal State Dominguez Hills. The Pioneers have allowed their opponents to grab at least one set victories in all but four matches this season. ... As a team, CSU East Bay hits at a .200 percentage and averages 11.7 kills per set, while surrendering 12.4 kills per set to its opposition. The team averages 1.8 blocks per set and picks up 15.3 digs per set on defense. ... Suzy Ni Xu leads the attack with 2.81 kills per set, good for a .239 attack percentage (highest amongst the hitters on the team). ... Three Pioneers have put down more than 20 aces each, led by Nicole Boyle with 28 aces. Hannah Bell and Samantha Siebert follow with 25 and 22 aces, respectively.
Otter Notes
Cal State Monterey Bay will face Cal Poly Pomona first before heading to Arcata to take on the Jacks and currently stand at 12-11 overall, 6-9 in conference action. Like the Pioneers, the Otters have struggled to put strings of wins together on the road and have only grabbed one win in seven away contests. ... As a team, CSUMB averages 12.1 kills per set and attacks with a .206 percentage, but gives up an average of 12.8 kills per set to its opposition. Julia Ashen leads the attack with a 3.95 kill per set average, followed by Jessica Malcolm with 2.75 kills per set and Janai Johnson with 2.00 kills per set (and .289 attack percentage).
Lumberjack Notes
Humboldt State is still looking for its first CCAA win, but head coach Sue Woodstra knows its coming soon. The Jacks enter this homestand with a 2-20 overall record, 0-15 in conference, but played well over the weekend in Southern California. For the first time since HSU joined the CCAA back in 2006, the Jacks were able to take a set from volleyball powerhouse Cal State San Bernardino. ... Led by
Alexa Rosendale's 3.23 kills per set average, Humboldt State averages 10.18 kills per set. Freshman
Danielle Carlson follows not too far behind with a 2.37 average and
Channel Washington, back from injury, rounds out the top three with a 2.27 kills per set average. ... Rosendale also tops the squad with 27 service aces, followed by
Ashley Neale with 25 and
Tiffany McCray with 23. ... McCray leads the Jacks defensively with 325 digs to average 4.33 digs per set. ...
Allison Drobish has blocked for a total of 55 times, including 16 solo efforts.
Woodstra's Words
"We played really well against CSUSB, especially in that first set. We forced them to make some changes. We served really well and just attacked and defended well. ... We're trying to be the spoiler of someone's season. We want to upset someone by beating them. ... It'll be good playing at home. The last two arenas we played in were so big. There's just so much empty space. The ball also floats differently in that space, you see it differently. I'll be good to be back at home."
